2016 Mitre10 Cup
-
<p>Hardly inspiring, one a virtual Super Gold Card Holder and the other was not even given a contract with the Championship Level Wellington Lions team last season. How Ben May keeps getting selected is one of lifes mysteries. Perhaps he is related to Chris Eaton? I suppose it could have been marginally worse considering Jamie MacIntosh is also out there looking for someone to pick him up after he could not make the Southland team.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mr. Philpott rates Bendon Edmonds and Ben May on the same level talent (and experience) wise. Well I'm afraid I don't see it that way.</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/82403272/hawkes-bay-magpies-sign-ross-filipo-and-ben-may-for-2016-provincial-season'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/82403272/hawkes-bay-magpies-sign-ross-filipo-and-ben-may-for-2016-provincial-season</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="599027" data-time="1469189796">
<div>
<p>Hardly inspiring, one a virtual Super Gold Card Holder and <strong>the other was not even given a contract with the Championship Level Wellington Lions team last season</strong>. How Ben May keeps getting selected is one of lifes mysteries. Perhaps he is related to Chris Eaton? I suppose it could have been marginally worse considering Jamie MacIntosh is also out there looking for someone to pick him up after he could not make the Southland team.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mr. Philpott rates Bendon Edmonds and Ben May on the same level talent (and experience) wise. Well I'm afraid I don't see it that way.</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/82403272/hawkes-bay-magpies-sign-ross-filipo-and-ben-may-for-2016-provincial-season'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/82403272/hawkes-bay-magpies-sign-ross-filipo-and-ben-may-for-2016-provincial-season</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>That's incorrect. May was in the 2015 Lions squad but wasn't available for personal reasons initially, and then out injured (knee). He played a couple of games for them last season.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I assume there were no better, experienced players available (like Dominic Bird) who were willing to move to the Bay. I think Filippo in particular can add a lot of value due to his experience.</p> -
<p>I'm okay with the two signings - they are just for one year only.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Andrew Horrell, Brendon Edmonds, Richard Buckman, Michael Allardice, Robbie Fruean (probably), Sanaila Waqa (shoulder injury), are all out for the year. The first five of them all had starting positions last year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>2016, rather eerily, was starting to look a bit like 2012 where, in our first year after promotion, we were lost a lot of front line players, struggled, and got relegated.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Even with Filipo and May, when I look at the announced 2016 squads for Auckland and Taranaki, I get a feeling of inferiority which would be more so if Filipo and May weren't there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Our first choice starting lineup would be (excluding Dagg and Retallick) what?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>15 McNicol</p>
<p> </p>
<p>14 Tongia</p>
<p>11 Chase</p>
<p> </p>
<p>13 Marshall?</p>
<p>12 Ropiha</p>
<p> </p>
<p>10 West</p>
<p>9 Weber</p>
<p> </p>
<p>8 Evans</p>
<p>7 Renton?</p>
<p>6 Boswell-Wakefield</p>
<p> </p>
<p>5 Cridge</p>
<p>4 Abbott</p>
<p> </p>
<p>3 May</p>
<p>2 Dixon</p>
<p>1 Fahamokioa</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="599118" data-time="1469239650">
<div>
<p>I'm okay with the two signings - they are just for one year only.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Andrew Horrell, Brendon Edmonds, Richard Buckman, Michael Allardice, Robbie Fruean (probably), Sanaila Waqa (shoulder injury), are all out for the year. The first five of them all had starting positions last year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>2016, rather eerily, was starting to look a bit like 2012 where, in our first year after promotion, we were lost a lot of front line players, struggled, and got relegated.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Even with Filipo and May, when I look at the announced 2016 squads for Auckland and Taranaki, I get a feeling of inferiority which would be more so if Filipo and May weren't there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Our first choice starting lineup would be (excluding Dagg and Retallick) what?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>15 McNicol</p>
<p> </p>
<p>14 Tongia</p>
<p>11 Chase</p>
<p> </p>
<p>13 Marshall?</p>
<p>12 Ropiha</p>
<p> </p>
<p>10 West</p>
<p>9 Weber</p>
<p> </p>
<p>8 Evans</p>
<p>7 Renton?</p>
<p>6 Boswell-Wakefield</p>
<p> </p>
<p>5 Cridge</p>
<p>4 Abbott</p>
<p> </p>
<p>3 May</p>
<p>2 Dixon</p>
<p>1 Fahamokioa</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I'd put Lamborn at 7 and maybe Emerson at 11. Despite Chase having slightly more experience at NPC level, I think Emerson is better.</p>
<p>At 12, either Marshall or Lowe.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have the same reaction as you after seeing other teams. I'm worried we'll go straight back to the Championship if they're not hiring a few more experienced backs.</p> -
<p>I cannot see what you guys see in Ben May. I have watched him a few times in club rugby over these last two seasons (he has not played much at all) and apart from one game when he played against lowly Avalon about five weeks back I have seen nothing to suggest he is he is a solution to any teams propping problems at ITM Cup level much less at super XV level. I can't comment on his play in tonights super rugby quarter final as I was otherwise engaged but is he was any good some other team would have signed him up adminst much fanfare way before now. Ross Filipo off the pace when he last turned out for Wellington two years ago and I seriously doubt he has found any new lease of live since then. I do have a fond memory as in his last appeqarance for Wellington (against North Harbour possibly from memory) he did knock over a couple of conversions one from wide out on the right hand side of the field so maybe he has been acquired for that skill.</p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="599118" data-time="1469239650">
<p>Andrew Horrell, Brendon Edmonds, Richard Buckman, Michael Allardice, Robbie Fruean (probably), <strong>Sanaila Waqa</strong> (shoulder injury), are all out for the year. The first five of them all had starting positions last year.</p>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't think Waqa is injured because he played club rugby yesterday ... unless Hastings have another S Waqa in their squad (who scored a try).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.sporty.co.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=e51d21e7-9f2c-4ae4-9b9e-6aa6eebe031d'>http://www.sporty.co.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=e51d21e7-9f2c-4ae4-9b9e-6aa6eebe031d</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="599634" data-time="1469315675">
<div>
<p>I don't think Waqa is injured because he played club rugby yesterday ... unless Hastings have another S Waqa in their squad (who scored a try).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.sporty.co.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=e51d21e7-9f2c-4ae4-9b9e-6aa6eebe031d'>http://www.sporty.co.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=e51d21e7-9f2c-4ae4-9b9e-6aa6eebe031d</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Hmmm, got that about Waqa being out for the season from Shane Hurndell's writeup in yesterday's <em>HB Today.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11679786'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11679786</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="599646" data-time="1469319597">
<div>
<p>Hmmm, got that about Waqa being out for the season from Shane Hurndell's writeup in yesterday's <em>HB Today.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11679786'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11679786</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I guess the line-up for next weekend's preseason game will give us a clue ...</p> -
<p>This afternoon, Manawatu Evergreens defeated HB Saracens 54-17.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Saracens used 27 players.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The only players that played the whole 80 minutes were Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Mason Emerson and Jonah Lowe (at centre).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mystery man Hugh Renton played the whole second half, as did Robbie Fruean (on the right wing).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>NZ Under 20 number eight Marino Mikaele-Tu'u is quite a big boy and I thought played well when he came on in the second half.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Gareth Evans was a spectator and had quite an impressive looking brace on his left knee and was on crutches.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fruean was the only Super Rugby player that HB Saracens fielded.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Played under the new laws, the first three tries in the match (two Evergreens and one Saracens) all came from forward drives off lineouts five metres from the line. Neither side took a penalty kick at goal.</p> -
<p>Filipo. Go Eskview!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="https://scontent.fakl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13686498_1269532369754168_4082943946252715576_n.png?oh=c0a4a0071bbfb48ee2cfa24f1f100d1f&oe=58543010" alt="13686498_1269532369754168_40829439462527"></p> -
<p>My mate and I are travelling over to Hawera to watch the game - coming back Sunday - so I'll write a review when I get back.</p>
-
<p>Sorry guys.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My mate and I did not travel.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Crap weather on each coast.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="603259" data-time="1470400227">
<div>
<p>Hugh Renton is absent. Has he been dropped?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>I assume all the Canes full squad members will be in Wellington supporting the team?</p> -
A couple of interesting rumors doing the rounds.Fruean is not wanted by Philpott and Lee but the ceo wants to sign him for this season and Shannon Chase was given the rounds of the kitchen by his club coach due to poor form recently.
-
<p>Hmm, usually the CEO and coach are of one mind when it comes to jettisoning players (with the assistant thinking differently).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As we have a pretty weak squad this year I wonder if Trinity Spooner-Neera will return from the Naki after not making the squad. It would be funny if him and Timu finally lived up to their potential in an inexperienced backline.</p> -
<p>This title from HBT says it all:</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Saracens beaten again</span></span></strong></p>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">By Shane Hurndell</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">3:33 PM Saturday Aug 6, 2016</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Hawke's Bay Saracens were beaten 19-3 by Taranaki in a pre-season rugby fixture in Hawera today.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Saracens led 3-0 at halftime after a Tiaan Falcon penalty. Hawke's Bay Magpies head coach Craig Philppott said his troops displayed vast improvement on the previous week's 54-17 loss to the Manawatu Eveergreens.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Two pushover tries proved to be the difference between the two teams. Strong winds and poor ground conditions made attack difficult for both teams. Prop Jason Long, hooker Jorian Tangaere and flanker Ben Hamelink produced strong performances for the Saracens.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">...</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11688510'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11688510</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Some additional info from the Taranaki Daily News:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Taranaki slop through the mud to beat Hawke's Bay</span></span></strong></p>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">GLENN MCLEAN</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Last updated 11:29, August 7 2016</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Taranaki showed improvement across the park in their second pre-season rugby match to beat Hawke's Bay 19-3 in the mud at Hawera on Saturday.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It was conditions neither team would have wanted and it will bring up the question of whether or not it's worth playing on grounds that are not sand based given it's a requirement for the national provincial championship.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The players would have given a collective sigh when they pulled up to the ground and saw more mud than grass.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Nevertheless, they at least tried to play positive rugby, even if their boots were repeatedly getting stuck in the ground.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">While Taranaki got two pushover tries to replacement No 8 Mitchell Brown, the winning margin fairly reflected the overall performance of the two sides.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Taranaki dominated the first half into a stiff wind but failed to put points on the board.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Their biggest problem was pushing a pass when it might have been better to hold the ball and show a bit more patience.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Their scrum was certainly working well, the outside backs, especially wing Manasa Mataele, were beating defenders, their loose forwards were defending well while some of the tight forwards, namely prop Reuben O'Neill carried well.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">There was also some nice work from first five-eighth Stephen Perofeta, the midfield performed better than it did against Counties Manukau, while fullback Beaudein Waaka was authoritive in most of his work.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The concerns were around their option taking at times and the number of penalties they conceded.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Still, they enjoyed the fact <strong>Hawke's Bay provided less of a physical threat than Counties Manukau</strong> while the improvement in their attack was obvious.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"We had another week to improve and I suppose we did," Taranaki captain Berny Hall said.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"The first half [into the wind] was all about trying to hold them out and we were unlucky not to capitalise when we were in their 22. They defended really well, though, so we will have to change up the way we attack a bit.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"The scrum went really well in the second half and the backs probably got a bit cold out there."</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hall agreed that their finishing lacked a bit of polish but he thought they were in a good space as they head towards their last pre-season match against Waikato at Inglewood on Friday.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">...</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">At a glance</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Taranaki 19 (Mitchell Brown 2, Cody Whittaker tries; Beaudein Waaka 2 cons) Hawke's Bay 3 (Tiaan Falcon pen). HT: 0-3 </span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> - Stuff</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
</div>
<div>
<div><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/82893205/taranaki-slop-through-the-mud-to-beat-hawkes-bay'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/82893205/taranaki-slop-through-the-mud-to-beat-hawkes-bay</a></div>
</div>
</div> -
<p>After Manawatu trashed the Magpies twice, they now lost to Wellington 33-26.<br>
<br>
Relevant info from the media report of this game:<br>
</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Wellington prove too much to handle for Manawatu in preseason</span></span></strong><br>
<br><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">SHAUN EADE</span></span><br><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Last updated 18:34, August 7 2016</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A physical Wellington side dealt Manawatu their first loss in four preseason matches 33-26 in Feilding on Sunday.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Wellington's big forward pack put Manawatu under the pump with some strong carries in tight.</span></span><br>
<br><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The men from the capital did a good job adapting to the trial breakdown rules</span></span></strong><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">They picked their battles well, slowing down Manawatu ball when they committed to the breakdown and hanging off ruck when the ball was lost. </span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a contrast to what Manawatu had seen from <strong>Hawke's Bay who tore into everything and gave away a swag of penalties in the process</strong>.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">...</span></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/82910612/wellington-prove-too-much-to-handle-for-manawatu-in-preseason'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/82910612/wellington-prove-too-much-to-handle-for-manawatu-in-preseason</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm more and more convinced that the HBRU's decision not to play under the new breakdown rules in HB club rugby was a bad decision. They played under the new rules in Manawatu and Taranaki (don't know about Wellington) and they seem to have a big advantage.</p> -
<p>I suspect that Wellington played under the old rules during the club season. A little hard to be more definitive given the varying interpretations and rulings witnessed on too many occsaions (mostly against the teams I'm supporting) so that must be taken with a grain of salt!</p>
