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    Steamers v Taranaki

    BOP Mafia
    bop
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    • S
      Snollygoster last edited by Duluth

      Thought I would start this tread early to just suss out how everyone thinks we are tracking ? Its almost half way through the competition and its still really anyones game as to who will win the championship. Clearly Southland and Hawkes Bay are struggling but its pretty even across the remaining teams. I still think that, if we can play our game to our potential and don't get hampered with injuries, we will be there or there abouts come playoff time. Am I being overly optimistic ?

      As a side note I see the Bay are chasing this guy :-

      Caden Helmers  /  Sep 10, 2017  /  Local News

      Chiefs eye rugby prodigy

      Chiefs eye rugby prodigy

      The Waikato Chiefs are starting to make a move on the Canberra junior.

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      • GagaBoy
        GagaBoy last edited by

        I think we can only base this season as a success, if we make the final. To do that (based on current standings), we need to be able to beat either Wellington or Northland in a semi - providing we can make it.

        This season is a little different than of the last 5, when we were very strong up front but weak in the backline. Looks to me that we are very dependent on a strong forward platform for an 8 factored backline.

        Not sure how we will line up against Naki. Maybe mix up the selection a bit.

        GagaBoy 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • GagaBoy
          GagaBoy @GagaBoy last edited by

          'X'factored backline!

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          • Donsteppa
            Donsteppa last edited by

            The team looks like a solid top four chance this year. I agree that the final would look like success, though I'm not sure how easily we'll get past Wellington or Northland. Lack of injuries will be the key - with Delany, Karpik, & Parate in the mix I think we'd have a good chance...

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            • S
              Snollygoster last edited by

              Its interesting. We are still in the bottom half of the stats across both divisions for all the attacking stats. Our scrum rates near the bottom but surprisingly our lineout is near the top. Despite that I get the feeling BOP have never had a complete performance yet and are possibly capable of beating most teams . I think Wellington is beatable without Shields, Fifita and To'omaga Allen who are all out at the moment and don't forget we had a big lead against Northland early on.But we shouldn't forget that this is Bay of Plenty and inconsistency has always been their problem

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              • GagaBoy
                GagaBoy last edited by

                I agree with you Snollygoster - we have played well below our potential and are yet to have a breakout game. AS YOU SAY, Wellington could also be beatable without their big guns.

                I'd like to see some forward dominance v Naki as a minimum towards improving our final chances.

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                • Stargazer
                  Stargazer last edited by Stargazer

                  alt text

                  EDIT
                  There has been an update: Hugh Blake has been called in to replace Mitch Karpik on the bench due to injury.

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                  • S
                    Snollygoster last edited by

                    Hmm? The scrum may struggle a tad (as it has most of the season) but the lineout should be okay (Taranaki has one of the worst lineouts in the comp). They will miss Blake who is one of the top tacklers in both divisions.

                    The backs look okay but will miss Delany's nous and kicking skills. Taranaki has a classy backline which is a worry but with the expected rain and howling winds I'm guessing it will be a forward orientated grind which may help us.

                    As is usual the TAB doesn't give us a chance and even the local Taranaki press describes The Bay as the easiest opposition Taranaki has faced this year. I can't wait !

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                    • Donsteppa
                      Donsteppa last edited by

                      Does that team selection make Isaac Te Aute effectively the reserve halfback?

                      S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • S
                        Snollygoster @Donsteppa last edited by

                        @Donsteppa I'm guessing so. He did play most of the club season as halfback.

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                        • Stargazer
                          Stargazer last edited by

                          Ngatai off for a HIA. Geez, hope he's okay!

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                          • Stargazer
                            Stargazer last edited by

                            Shit, Ngatai failed his concussion test.

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                            • Donsteppa
                              Donsteppa last edited by

                              That was a relatively innocuous head clash too... not good long term signs for Ngatai.

                              We'd be doing better with a different 9/10 combination...

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                              • Stargazer
                                Stargazer last edited by

                                That's going to be a card ...

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                                • Stargazer
                                  Stargazer last edited by

                                  YC for Henry Stowers (lifting tackle).

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                                  • Donsteppa
                                    Donsteppa last edited by

                                    Haimona and Campbell clearing for touch like we're playing into a howling gale...

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                                    • Stargazer
                                      Stargazer last edited by

                                      Try Declan O'Donnell. Taranaki lead 8-0 with the kick to come.

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                                      • Donsteppa
                                        Donsteppa last edited by Donsteppa

                                        This post is deleted!
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                                        • Stargazer
                                          Stargazer last edited by

                                          Tough 'ol battle this. Taranaki lead 8-0 at half time.

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                                          • B
                                            bayimports last edited by

                                            Hi all, typical BoP performance, mixed bag, however considering 8 changes to starting line up and they will have a closer eye on Southland next week, I think they will be happy only 8 behind Naki.

                                            If we stay close, spoil their ball, have a better scrum effort we could cause problems especially when our subs come on... hopefully, dreaming..go the bay! At least we can say that lol!

                                            Fucking try already ...

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                                            • Stargazer
                                              Stargazer last edited by

                                              Try Mitchell Graham. Good passage of play from Taranaki. McKenzie converts: 15-0 Naki.

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                                              • Stargazer
                                                Stargazer last edited by

                                                Liam Steel also off after a head knock. Didn't look good.

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                                                • Stargazer
                                                  Stargazer last edited by

                                                  Liam Steel has a fractured cheek bone.

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                                                  • Donsteppa
                                                    Donsteppa last edited by

                                                    Clayton is finally taking the game seriously: Delany and Franklin about to come on.

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                                                    • Stockcar86
                                                      Stockcar86 last edited by Stockcar86

                                                      Didn't Taranaki flanker put his foot on the line during that last try movement?

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                                                      • Stargazer
                                                        Stargazer last edited by

                                                        Great team try Sione Lea. Taranaki's blind side flanker is a pretty handy player.

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                                                        • Stargazer
                                                          Stargazer last edited by

                                                          Consolation try to Nicholas.

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                                                          • Donsteppa
                                                            Donsteppa last edited by Donsteppa

                                                            My current match report consists of the words: bloody frustrating . More coherent thoughts later! 🙂

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                                                            • GagaBoy
                                                              GagaBoy last edited by

                                                              I'm convinced this rotation stuff is BS at NPC level... put the best available on the park - game in, game out! It is 9 games, just smash it out.

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                                                              • KiwiPie
                                                                KiwiPie last edited by

                                                                I agree on the rotation - what really gets me is that in some positions, there never seems to be a first choice developed. What I want to see is the first choice 23 that plays most of the games and then rotation in and out of that when there are injuries or to nurse a player through the busy period.

                                                                I do get that if we want to finish top 4, then playing the best team on Wednesday is critical as we never win at Taranaki and we have to beat Southland. But still, there are 4 locks in the squad and in my view there's one of them who should never start unless injuries demand it. And Delany must always start if fit.

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