@steven-harris said in Southland vs Auckland: @nakosi one of the really big issues they have in the Southland area is player drain which the quality of club rugby has dropped away ..they have have realistically got about 10-12 players of Mitre 10 level. Its not only quality it is quantity. 6 Prem teams only (and they are scraping numbers to make Prem teams) means a short season

@higgins said in Southland vs BOP: All very quiet in here as Bay of Plenty are trying to achieve the seemingly impossible, losing to Southland. We really gave it a good go. Despite setpiece dominance and a maul that was walking them back and winning a penalty every time, we contrived to keep handing Southland opportunities and they have some dangerous runners. If we had lost, it would have been peak choke. With the hooter gone, be a man up, have your own 5m attacking scrum, win the scrum, have the ball in the half-back's hands about to kick it 10m into touch - and still finish the game frantically defending your own line is quite an achievement.

The worst 40 mins of rugby in a while by Waikato but I give Southland credit for being abrasive and forcing mistakes. A much better 2nd half by Waikato and helped by better subs coming on. 5 pts and flush the dunny.

@stargazer Yes it is. Credit to their fans for turning up week in week out, hope things can get better for them, similar to Northland teams in the past.

@shark Probably, I had to go and check if there was a thread for this game haha.

@bones I am saying he wasn't worthy based on his injury, not his playing ability over 20 mins of ITM Cup. I am willing to give him a chance to show his true colours over an extended playing period and only then can a proper judgement be made.

@stargazer said in Tasman vs Southland: @shark I doubt Havili will go anywhere after the RWC. He's only 23, still developing as a player and - the last two years - the first choice fullback for the Crusaders (keeping both Dagg and Bridge out of the 15 jersey). He's is test capped and - presumably - he'll still be on the ABs radar. I have no doubt that's what his ambitions are; to get another shot at the ABs. He's not that far off. One or two more good seasons at SR level, and he may get another call-up, esp in case of a BFA departure. Sooner, in case of injury. Hansen & co have said they like his versatility. Getting the Tasman captaincy may give him some confidence, which he seemed to lack a bit at the beginning of the 2018 SR season. I actually think he reached peak form in 2017 and might struggle to get back there. Sure, Smith will be goneski after the RWC but he's still behind Barrett and McKenzie with the chance someone else could emerge (Jordan possibly). His versatility and potential issues in the Crusaders midfield going forward (ie Crotty injuries) could see him shifted around a bit as well, opening up opportunities for others in the Crusaders 15 jumper. All combined, I think he will find it difficult to get back into black and if he becomes frustrated due to any of the aforementioned factors, he could be off.

LOL, local rivalry at its best in this game!

@african-monkey yeah haven't seen much of him, but looked steady and a bit is size to him. Is he an omata lad?

Yes, of course ... but he could get more playing time with the Highlanders than with the Crusaders who already have Havili, Dagg and Hunt to cover the FB position.

@KiwiMurph I declare - those bastards who administer the M10 Cup had that result wrong, when I last looked!

Ennor is a huge talent. Good crowd and a great atmosphere at the ground. Mouaga and Dom bird are superstars at this level. Time to put the "southern man" myth to bed. Southland forwards were weak and pathetic, bunch of Southland supporters sitting next to us drinking cider all night.... blokes like Jason Rutledge and Paul miller would be appalled

@ACT-Crusader Gatland has been pretty sharp. Good distance on his kicking has put the opposition on the back foot.

Cowan looks spent, seems to be even more niggly than he used to, doesn't offer a great deal from what I have seen this season.

Some of these Wellington backs looked good Goosen I hope gets more game time at 2nd 5. I think he could be very good in this position. He would need to bulk up a bit though but would like to see him tested against a tougher team Umaga-Jensen is class but feel his best position will be 2nd 5 or center. So with Barrett Junior as well the Canes have some exciting midfield options JG-B is finding his feet at 1st 5 but he needs to read the game better at time. But that will come. And Woodward is a very good gain for Wales if eh can stay injury free In the forwards Asafo Aumua is an exciting future option angihuna, 22 Pakai Turia, 23 Mike Lealava’a

Wouldn't mind seeing Matt Vaega have a go at wing.

Rieko reminds me a lot of Israel Falou and could be even better imo. Such an exciting prospect.

Maybe it was just me, but I thought Southland gave away a lot of penalties by putting their hands in the ruck and trying to jackle. The scoreline was a fair reflection of the game I thought. Otago will definitely be pushing for promotion. Must say Southland lost the game in the second half. Their defence was good in the first and because Otago gave away all those penalties, Hawera made sure Southland were leading at HT. I didn't have the impression Southland gave away that many penalties; if they did, it didn't do any damage (not close enough to the sticks for Otago to score penalty goals).

Long-serving hooker Jason Rutledge summonsed to Stags training Awesome