Hawke's Bay v Waikato

[mariner4life]

Is it possible for both teams to lose?

[Bovidae]

I'm not sure if I will be able to watch this game live but I am looking forward to seeing how these young players go. By my count there are six players who were involved in U20 rugby this year, and two only a year older.

[Higgins]

Absolutely glorious sunny winters day here in the Bay today with the thermometer out on the back porch (in the shade) reading 16.5 degrees at the moment (11.45am) and practically no wind, which is surprising as the sea breeze normally has arrived by now. Hopefully it won't get too cold come game time with the expected overnight low of 4 degrees not having any affect given the early kick off time. My estimate is that it should still be about 11 or maybe 12 degrees for the game which is not too bad considering some of the mind numbingly cold nights we have had recently.
HB 17+ with Brad Weber having a blinder
EDIT The breeze just starting to roll in now. Fingers crossed that it does not swing around and come in off the snow capped Kawekas.

[ARHS]

@Bovidae Surprisingly weak and inexperienced team from Waikato. Must be lots of injuries? Saw Mitch Jacobsen last Saturday and he seemed to be moving OK. But no Mcwhannell.

[Bovidae]

@ARHS said in Hawke's Bay v Waikato:

Surprisingly weak and inexperienced team from Waikato.

I'm not surprised. The middle of a storm week, and third away game. Hopefully Filipo is saving a few players to select a stronger team for the first home game against Taranaki on Sunday.

But no Mcwhannell.

I think he always unavailable for the first few games. I wasn't expecting two young, inexperienced locks to be selected in his absence though.

[Stockcar86]

@Higgins have fun at the game @Higgins . I'm tied up at work till 5:30, so will be cheering on from the sofa

[Higgins]

@Stockcar86 Excuse me, kick off is not until 1735hrs so you could still make it. Park in Georges Drive or Douglas McLean Ave and its only about a five minute or so walk from there to the gates. At worst you might only miss about the first 15 minutes or so!

[Higgins]

@Bovidae said in Hawke's Bay v Waikato:

@ARHS said in Hawke's Bay v Waikato:

Surprisingly weak and inexperienced team from Waikato.

But no Mcwhannell.

I think he always unavailable for the first few games. I wasn't expecting two young, inexperienced locks to be selected in his absence though.

Think you will find the HB pairing is equally inexperienced so that equals that situation out.

[Duluth]

B Sullivan with the early try

Waikato have had all the ball

[Bones]

Roe needs to head to the crusaders.

[Duluth]

15-7 Waikato after 30mins

Waikato have had a massive amount of ball. 108-15 tackles. Waikato prob should’ve forced more points. It should make the final quarter hard for HB though

[Stargazer]

We've not had much ball, thus far.

[Stargazer]

I think we need to bring on Thompson early ...

[Duluth]

HB lineout has been poor

[Stockcar86]

Kereru-Symes having a shocker. Thompson must come on as hooker at half-time

[Stargazer]

@Stockcar86 Not a single good line-out tonight. Terrible.

[Stargazer]

Cridge has come on for Allen.

[Stockcar86]

Makene has been a step up from Godfrey so far. Much more accurate

[Bones]

Makene is killing it. Has he bulked up quite a bit?

Lowe is rather pedestrian even at this level.

[Stockcar86]

Scrum is way better with Hintz on