BOP-Northland preseason

Snollygoster

God, this forum is quiet ! I actually debated whether to start this topic because of the lack of interest.
 
For those who never went (and those that haven't already heard the score) The Steamers won 49-27.
 
We actually went to the game which was played in near perfect conditions..on a dry field in sunny weather.
 
The team was :-
 
1. Aidan Ross 
2. Sabastian Siataga 
3. Jeff Thwaites 
4. Troy Callander 
5. Shahn Eru 
6. Jesse Parete 
7. Hugh Blake 
8. Joe Tupe 
9. Luke Campbell 
10. Dan Hollinshead 
11. Elijah Nicholas 
12. Terrence Hepetema 
13. Lalakai Foketi 
14. Isaac Te Aute 
15. Te Rangi Fraser
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Reserves: 
16. Leigh Hughes 
17. Pingi Talaâ€™apitaga 
18. Solomona Sakalia 
19. Keepa Mewett 
20. Ruki Tipuna 
21. Matty Axtens 
22. Henry Stowers 
23. Calum Retallick 
24. Chase Tiatia
 
So this meant that 13 of the contracted squad never played.
 
The game was basically a game of two halves with BOP winning the first 42-12 and Northland the second 14-7 . The Bay started well scoring at about a point a minute and dominating the game with a real bath looking a possibility. In fact it was pretty to watch. In the second half however things changed with the visitors getting more ball and able to slip through Bays wafer thin defences. Its pretty hard to get a real gauge on what sort of "score " to give the team given the unknown ability of the opposition, the chopping and changing of players and the lack of a full squad to choose. Its fair to say they "have plenty to work on" though and the Auckland game next week will be a better indication of where they stand.
 
 
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Cpt Kumera

good to see tupe back

KiwiPie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Snollygoster" data-cid="603227" data-time="1470382630">
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God, this forum is quiet ! I actually debated whether to start this topic because of the lack of interest.
 
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Keep posting Snolly, we'll all crawl out of the woodwork once the NPC kicks off.
 
Will post your mini-report on the website

GagaBoy

Thanks for the update - Living & working on the other side of the world, I certainly appreciate it. Auckland on Friday will be the tester. Not sure how we are looking now for hookers - I have heard that we are very light on (surprising as 4 were named in the squad). Harris obviously with the ABs, Royal broken hand, Siataga maybe a knee problem.
 
Anyone heading to Auckland for the game, please give us a summary...

Snollygoster

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="GagaBoy" data-cid="604097" data-time="1470660913">
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Thanks for the update - Living & working on the other side of the world, I certainly appreciate it. Auckland on Friday will be the tester. Not sure how we are looking now for hookers - I have heard that we are very light on (surprising as 4 were named in the squad). Harris obviously with the ABs, Royal broken hand, Siataga maybe a knee problem.
 
Anyone heading to Auckland for the game, please give us a summary...
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 Good point GagaBoy ! Siataga did go off injured during the Northland game and I'm not sure how the others are shaping up. I'm not sure Polwart has played for ages.
 
There are a few other interesting points to consider :-
 
A captain hasn't been announced. Oddly I think Siataga may have been the captain on Friday.
 
Something that has gone under the radar is the appointment of David Hill as another assistant coach. He was a one test All Black and worked as a skills coach the the Blues last year I think. Some of the moves looked pretty slick in the Northland game so maybe his influence will be useful.
 
The TAB has come out with its ratings and they rate us fourth behind Wellington, Otago and Manawatu in the Championship.

Cpt Kumera

awesome to hear the bay beat auckland, still pre season but a win is a win , cmon the bay

KiwiPie

The Bay of Plenty Steamers capped off their pre-season with a 22-21 win over Auckland. The Steamers kicked the game off and were first to score through Henry Stowers, crashing over the line after a brilliant off load from Kelly Haimona. Auckland responded soon after from set piece seeing Kurt Eklund over the line after a solid drive from his forwards. Simon Hickey was next over the line for the home side, after slicing his way through our defence. Once again he held his form with the boot to take a 14-5 lead for the Auckland team. The Steamers side settled into their work. Following a long period of possession the team were rewarded with a try in the corner by the elusive left winger Isaac Te Aute. Auckland finished off the scoring for the first half following an offload from Steven Luatua to Pryor Collier to send them with a 21-10 lead into the break. It would be the Steamers who would break the second half deadlock with Chase Tiatia sneaking in between the Auckland forwards to reach over to score. The score now 21-15. The persistent attack from the Steamers saw them rewarded in the final play of the game. From broken play the Steamers setup the perfect overlap to set Te Aihe Toma to score. Dan Hollinshead converted to steal a 22-21 win over Auckland. The Steamers Mitre 10 Cup season will kick off at 2.35pm on Saturday 20 August at Tauranga Domain, Tauranga. Tickets are available online for all Steamers Mitre 10 Cup home games at <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://webmail.clear.net.nz/deferrer.html?redirectUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fboprugby.us3.list-manage1.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3Db5ae02a2affffed87b6aa22c3%26id%3D29dee2364c%26e%3D36bcc9b059'>www.boprugby.co.nz</a> or<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://webmail.clear.net.nz/deferrer.html?redirectUrl=%2Fwebmail.cgi%3Fcmd%3Durl%26url%3Dhttp!3A!2F!2Fwww.ticketmaster.co.nz'>http://www.ticketmaster.co.nz</a>. Alternatively tickets can be purchased from the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union offices or any ticketmaster outlet for all home games. Ticketing: Mitre 10 Cup: Children Under 14: $5 Adults $20 *Note: Additional Booking fees apply for all ticket purchases. Tickets available for purchase at: Bay of Plenty Rugby Union 52 Miro Street Mount Maunganui Sir Howard Morrison Rotorua Convention Centre 1170 Fenton St Rotorua <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://webmail.clear.net.nz/deferrer.html?redirectUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fboprugby.us3.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3Db5ae02a2affffed87b6aa22c3%26id%3Da15aee0ccb%26e%3D36bcc9b059'>www.boprugby.co.nz</a> and/or <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://webmail.clear.net.nz/deferrer.html?redirectUrl=%2Fwebmail.cgi%3Fcmd%3Durl%26url%3Dhttp!3A!2F!2Fwww.ticketmaster.co.nz'>http://www.ticketmaster.co.nz</a> Bay of Plenty 22 (Henry Stowers, Chase Tiatia, Te Aihe Toma tries; Dan Hollinshead 1 con) Auckland 21 (Kurt Eklund, Simon Hickey, Pryor Collier tries; Simon Hickey 3 cons) HT: 21-10 (Auckland led)

Snollygoster

A small band of supporters went to the Auckland game. It was a deserving win and definitely a step up from Whakatane. I know.... Its only preseason and maybe Auckland didn't have all its Super players and the result was meanningless but it was a WIN and its been a while since we beat them so I'm happy.

Cpt Kumera

cmon the bay

The Silver Fern

BOP-Northland preseason