@KiwiMurph I don't think Tasman were intentionally cheating though - it was pretty clear that their scrum was getting dominated, but trying to hold up - and that Harbour was scrumming for the penalty. Tasman wasn't just immediately folding - they were holding initially and plenty of opportunity for Harbour to have cleared the ball if they wanted - they didn't want to.

Oh and I'm also in the camp that doesn't move Goodhue to accommodate Ennor, but should attrition or lack of other options dictate that move - and there's no clear 12 for the Saders at the moment - then so be it.

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

@shark I reckon you won't get much use out of Will next year - even if you open that massive red and black chequebook! Who is the Aussie 10?

Big Leicester, David Havili and Will Jordan are an exceptional back three.

@sparky Dominating at a lower level as he does. Another flat track bully who always went missing in big tests.

A halfback and two or three other players will be added later. http://www.allblacks.com/News/34491/tasman-name-powerful-squad-for-2019-campaign

I had a re-watch yesterday. Pari Pari Parkinson was the best player on the field. Great first half at the lineout and with ball in hand, excellent second half in defense. This guy is more powerful than his lean frame might let it think. Good games from Aumua, Havili, Strange and Makalio as well. Jordan was a bit disappointing but the game did not go his way. Canterbury had less individual brilliance (with the notable exceptions of Drummond and Bridge) but their collective play in the second half was just awsome.

@chris-b said in Tasman vs Hawkes Bay: @crucial Or Canterbury. We will be at home and we won't be playing Auckland. Of course. I had forgotten that Auckland could leapfrog you still Your support behind NH will be greatly appreciated by myself in the tipping comp comeback I have planned.

@stargazer said in Otago vs Tasman: Phew, no bonus point for Otago. That's good for the Bay, who'll play Tasman next. So all you Bay fans will be cheering for Waikato next Sat.

@shadowtrooper said in Wellington vs Tasman: I'm hoping the Chiefs can attract Levi Aumua back next season, but this time give him some decent game time It would be good to know what happened this season. He's a big unit so perhaps fitness was an issue.

@stargazer It's all guesswork, but my reaction to seeing Crotty up close was that he's quite big and seeing David up close is that he isn't.

@crucial Tall Matt Todd! Lineout was rubbish. Missed Parkinson in the first half, but when he came on we lost Makalio and Niuia threw like he'd been taking lessons from Nathan Harris. Hope Makalio is nothing serious. One of quite a few we don't have great cover for. Once Lomax came on our scrum was dominant, but we didn't really get the full benefit of that. Still, points in the bank - onward and upward. When Hemepo came on he looked like an All Black - a cut above the average.

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

Haha Auckland are never favourites against Canterbury especially down there. I'd back even the weakest of Canterbury teams to beat us in Chch. Oh well I suppose I''ll go along and watch and hope that this could be the one time we win haha.

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

@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.

Salmon is a lock for backup tighthead at the Blues?

@family-man said in Canterbury v Tasman - Mitre 10 Cup Premiership Final: @billy-tell said in Canterbury v Tasman - Mitre 10 Cup Premiership Final: Sopoaga will be having nightmares about Mo'unga. Breathing right down his neck for that backup 10 spot at the moment. Not suggesting he should be an AB, and probably doesn't have enough "x-factor" but a more hardworking loose forward than Luke Whitelock is hard to find. Correct whitelock has really impressed me and I personally think with kaino nearing the end whitelock and ioane are the next best 2 I hope he doesn't go overseas just yet. But him and Brad Shields must be attractive targets for overseas clubs. I'm not sure what else Whitelock could do TBH, other than find a bit of x-factor. I thought he was a bit of a donkey when he made that ABs wider training squad a few years back, but his last couple of seasons have been very good.

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.