@Siam yeah but for us older guys the dream was the ABs, which is still true but rugby is pro and a legit career. Scouting etc is way more intense from an earlier age and if the current system is leading to lower numbers then I'm all for change. The good ones will make it through and hopefully we'll snaffle some late bloomers who might have given up by 13/14. More active players carrying through to club level is a big goal too.

@dice I'd prefer Wellington in a knock out match This Harbour side seems to take the battle of bridge personally.. more like the 90's. They are more likely to pull out a freakish game because its Auckland

@steven-harris Perofeta did struggle at times last season but he has far more upside than Gatland and ideally would have been coming off the bench last season but ended up starting. I'm convinced that he'll have far more impact next season coming off the bench providing Black stays fit. @KiwiMurph I was very impressed with Plummer at 12 the other night. The kid has a massive future at 10/12 as he can not only run a game but isn't scared going into contact both on attack and defence.

taniwharugby said: @bovidae they are unbackable faves for their next game Just do tackle training all week. Our defence is hopeless so you only need to score once and make your tackles and the game is in the bag.

North Harbour has been scratchy all year. Somehow their results and margins have consistently been better than their form deserves. I guess they get credit for that

There was a great passage of play last night. Canterbury mullered NH in a scrum pushing them back 5m at a rate of knots, but front rows didn't pop. Liava'a miraculously managed to extract the ball from the back and ran it from the base of his backwheeling scrum. Drummond tackled him with a text book tackle and slid down to his ankles. But Liava'a remained on his feet and bunny hopped for about 5m with Drummoned wrapped around his ankles.

@crazy-horse I think there was more to it at the start of the Hurricanes season. He wasn't in the best shape but he was carrying a niggly rib injury that always linger longer than they should. I don't know much about the kid but I hope he has learnt his lesson. The Canes can't afford another season where Riccitelli plays almost every minute.

Aumua should consider moving to hooker. He's certainly big enough and could be very dynamic in that position.

@bovidae Not sure, I am told maybe tomorrow. Fingers crossed!!

@shark He played for BOP from 2013-2014. I think it was 2012 when he was in the NZ U20 side. I recall him saying when he signed for the Leicester Tigers that he signed for them because they were his favourite team to play with on Rugby 08 on PS2 haha.

@tim Otago's Donald Brighouse, Hisa Sasagi and Melani Matavao as well as Hawke's Bay's Stacey Ili and JJ Taulagi have also been selected for Samoa. http://www.manusamoa.com/news-sru/87-uncatergorised/156-manu-samoa-squad-for-the-northern-hemisphere-tour-2018

@rapido said in Canterbury vs. North Harbour: Watched highlights only. My takeaway is gee Hoeata is undisciplined. You seem surprised that a Hoeata is undisciplined ...

As mentioned in another thread, I very much doubt that Li will reach an AB jersey. Very surprised the Sevens team haven't snapped him up though, they certainly need that pace. Maybe an offer was rejected? I guess that he can still build a reasonable highlights reel in XVs to command some good pounds or Euros in a couple of years.

@chris-b said in Tasman vs North Harbour: @crucial you're replying to Stargazer's point. I'm not comparing it to anything - including contesting high kicks - except other stupid refereeing decisions. I'm trying to reply to two points really. Yours about the 'victim' putting themselves in a dangerous position and @Stargazer s one about being similar to BBBR.

Looks like Falcon got a bit of his mojo back which is good

@act-crusader No doubt he was showing some irresistible form early doors, his form dropping off a cliff was rather disappointing. If he gets that back and is consistent then he won't be able to be ignored. Reminds me of Tom Marshall, just a tad more electric.

@dogmeat it was funny watching the number of scrums that were just static with barely any movement from either side, no one able to establish any dominance, except that crucial 1 near the end Will be interesting to see how NH go against Canterbury though, you guys have a pretty good roster of players, cos right now it looks like there is the Canterbury Division, The Premiership & the Championship.

Good win for Harbour. Loving how they are playing this season. Counties discipline was shocking. A number of off the ball penalties as well as some holding back that wasn't picked up. TNW a class above and Laulala at fullback continues to improve. But Harbour forwards were dominant and they link well with a solid 9/10 combo. Volavola was due.....