@Chris said in Taranaki v Otago (RS): @ACT-Crusader said in Taranaki v Otago (RS): What a game by Otago! Their motley crew of forwards were excellent. Who’s that nuggety barrel playing number 8? Josh Ioane seems to have a calming influence in the way they attack as well. Dylan Nel a South African born player he played in Canterbury for a few years made the Canterbury B side was around the A squad but couldn’t get game time moved to Otago last season Thanks Chris. I can’t say I remember him. He played with a bit of fire in the belly.

On another note, presumably the collared Ranfurly Shield edition jersey now gets mothballed until perhaps we get a challenge. Helluva shame as it's the best jersey since around 1993.

@Bovidae He was born in 2000, he turned 20 in January

@mariner4life said in Ultimate NPC: Round 2 Naki v Harbour: didn't he just sign for the Taipans? I though SBW was keeping that signing secret until closer to season tip off.

@Higgins ha ha yeah, next game...

@Hooroo he has he’s told a lot of people down the local rugby club.

LOL, Riccitelli got badly palmed off by Trainor.

@Yeetyaah said in Waikato v Taranaki: Fletch is having an average game. I thought he was alright. Better than Perofeta anyhow. He's not well served inside and at least can catch and pass.

@nakosi said in Taranaki v Southland: The worst half of rugby I've ever seen in my life, and I've seen a lot. Naki is a disgrace right now. Samoa and Russia say hello... Naki got their act together in the second half and put together a few decent moves, even with the deteriorating conditions.

@Number-10 said in Taranaki vs BOP: Sept 30, 1995 - BOP won 41-27 Wow that's pretty momentous then - must be one of the longer streaks broken then.

@shark I thought Lentjes was carrying an injury, so was benched.

@Snowy That one is already lined up for an entirely different, though highly unlikely, purpose!

@Duluth you deserve a ban for posting that!

@Duluth said in Manawatu v Taranaki: It looks like a 1980s NPC match Great to see players with actual mud on their face. Hosing down, and the turf isn't quite as good as a lot of the Tier 1 stadia. Good fun, though, this is classic rugby

Is it just my bias or do most of SBWs 'round the corner' passes actually go forward? Comms, ref and touch judge don't seem to think so.

@steven-harris ha wow, hadnt heard that. Not surprised though.

@act-crusader with 3 months between the end of super rugby and the game against the boks surely there won’t be stand downs

@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.

Glad to win that. Hard to play against 16. Jackson is a borderline cheat.

Parkinson was the standout player in this match. Great to see some young talented locks coming through.

@williethewaiter said in Taranaki v Waikato - Ranfurly Shield: @chris-b said in Taranaki v Waikato - Ranfurly Shield: @hooroo An extra glass of what? Water? What happened to the days of being written off for three days (and your bosses expecting it) because you'd won the Shield? this is one of the shit things about the NPC format now - the players don't even get to celebrate it properly - certainly no crazy stories like the old days.. cause they have to defend it 4 days after winning it. rubbish! Did you celebrate though?

Not a bad effort by Pulu. When are the Aussies calling him up? He's better than Maddocks.

Turbos should get a bonus point just for that mascot.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/105893549/Taranaki-unconvincing-in-Ranfurly-Shield-defence-against-Wanganui

Jordan, Lowe, Nankivell, Hunt, Frizell, Halakonuka and Makalio the standouts for the winning team. Tamanivalu, Perofeta and Sowakula were very good for Taranaki. TTT did a replay of his game for the Canes against the BIL. He has a lot of qualities but his decision making is something that has to be fixed.

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.

Full time: never in doubt, Taranaki keep the shield. 46 - 25.

@shark said in Canterbury vs Taranaki (Ranfurly Shield): Some saw the funny side in the responses. I think everyone did!

https://cf-e2.streamablevideo.com/video/mp4/477px_3.mp4?token=1506741639-gwmzvUMVCip%2BcPYZpUMYXnNxwU7VZDXYu2ieDMxiNIk%3D

Just caught up with this one. Entertaining game but boy that Orcs side are frustrating to watch. Defence and concentration seem to be a real issue for the Orcs. They've shipped some points this season. That last minute pass by Trainor to Aso was sweet as.

@taniwharugby Haven't seen hat much of Goodhue, but agree it would makes sense to take him on EOYT as apprentice.

@Rugger-Quizzes said in Wellington v Taranaki: Was annoyed initially that the Lions had signed Kirifi to be honest but he looks to be a pretty decent player. Fidow destroyed a few times in the scrums which will surprise nobody. Aumua outstanding though. What a prospect he is! I've finally watched the game The Wellington scrum was good until both props were replaced around the 55 minute mark. they were destroyed in one scrum but the next scrum hard on defense they destroyed the Taranaki scrum. I have been impressed with Fidow and hope the Canes sign him up pronto. Hes still only 20 so lots of upside Kirifi is not the biggest 7 so needs to bulk up but he's good. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara was impressive (a third Canes HB option) and Jackson Garden-Bachop has improved a lot after his time with the Rebels. or maybe having a decent coach at wellington now is having an impact

That was a quality game from both sides I thought. Slick handling and players running in support. Marty Mackenzie far better fullback then 10.

That really was a perfect microcosm of a party at the rugby club rooms. Uncomfortable "dancing"/shuffling by most of the guys; one little shit trying to give it the hip-hop treatment; bad singing-along to the Exponents, and a bit of aggro.

Another quality game from these two teams. Great to watch.

@antipodean said in Taranaki v Auckland: How does a union with the resources at its disposal look so average on the field? Why do Auckland players give away so many dumb penalties? as a fan, if you find out pleaes let me know. Very frustrating season. Still, my return on investment was a bunch of games, and a sack'o'spuds. Can't complain too much.

The Lions halfback and 1st Five are very unexperienced. With Shields missing as well, I can't see Wellington winning this one.

Obviously very happy with a win, especially given it was our 3rd game in eight days and we'd just come off an extremely tough game against Waikato. Taranaki played well and could easily have won it. They have some excellent forwards and really dangerous backs, but IMO they are just lacking a wee bit in the halves with key decision making players.

after trailing at half time, 'naki take out the win 30-19 if not a bit of controversy with Manawatu's Gibbons appearing to score on the post pad in extra time but the ref didnt bother going upstairs, obviously a crucial BP missed, hopefully it wont come back to bite them.