Otago v Tasman

[Stargazer]

Otago

1 Craig Millar
2 Sam Anderson-Heather
3 Hisa Sasagi
4 Josh Furno
5 Josh Dickson
6 Dillon Hunt
7 James Lentjes
8 Adam Knight
9 Josh Renton
10 Josh Ioane
11 Latu Vaeno
12 Teihorangi Walden
13 Sio Tomkinson
14 Mitchell Scott
15 Fletcher Smith

Reserves:
16 Sekonaia Pole
17 Aki Seiuli
18 Donald Brighouse
19 Blair Tweed
20 Sione Teu
21 Jono Ruru
22 Vilimoni Koroi
23 Leroy van Dam

[Stargazer]

Tasman

1 Tim Perry
2 Andrew Makalio
3 Isaac Salmon
4 Alex Ainley (captain)
5 Quinten Strange
6 Ethan Blackadder
7 Vernon Fredericks
8 Jordan Taufua
9 Billy Guyton
10 Mitch Hunt
11 James Lowe
12 Alex Nankivell
13 Levi Aumua
14 Tima Faingaanuku
15 Will Jordan

Reserves:
16 Ti'i Paulo
17 Tom Hill
18 Drew Petelo
19 Shannon Frizell
20 Pete Samu
21 Finlay Christie
22 Tim O'Malley
23 Trael Joass

At this stage prop Tim Perry has been named, although his availability depends on the requirements of the All Blacks who the experienced loosehead has been training with this week. 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/sport/96827124/fredericks-set-for-makos-milestone

[Chris B.]

@Stargazer Could be a long night at the office if Perry isn't released to play. We'd have four rookie props!

Drew Petelo is another new name to me.

Quentin Strange recovered from his 'flu will hopefully help the lineout.

[Stargazer]

From Tasman's twitter feed:

"Late change for Makos v @OtagoRugbyTeam today: Tom Hill to 1 jersey for Tim Perry. Tyrel Lomax in 18. #OTAvTAS #FinzUp"

[Rapido]

James Lowe's ass, which has grown at the same rate as he has grown his hair, causes an HIA.

[Stargazer]

Great game to watch, with some great tries. Tasman leading 22-13 after 33 minutes.

[Chris B.]

Best 40 minutes of Tasman's season so far.

Otago scored a very good try - otherwise we'd have this well in hand!

Good game.

[Higgins]

I'm sorry, but I do not agree with that being awarded as a penalty try. It looked like it was a genuine attempt at an intercept.

[Stargazer]

Penalty try and YC. Harsh call IMO.

[Chris B.]

That's the way it's been ruled all year.

If you don't make the intercept in that position you're in trouble.

I don't necessarily agree with how it's being ruled, but we lost a man to the bin for the same thing in an earlier game, so swings and roundabouts for me.

[Stargazer]

@Chris-B. I have more trouble with the penalty try than the YC. There was very little room down there and IMO not certain that a try would have been score.

[Chris B.]

@Stargazer Pretty likely though.

Ainley with a completely dumb-arse play to even up the numbers.

[Stargazer]

That could be a red for Levi Aumua ... tip tackle.

[Stargazer]

And it is red.

[Chris B.]

Jesus - these guys have a suicidal impulse!!!

[Stargazer]

15 against 13 players at the moment,

[hydro11]

Why is time keeping so poor in the Mitre Ten Cup? Quite poor for a national competition.

[Higgins]

That looked like he blew for the held up prior to the 80 minutes being up (by two seconds) but the referee is sole judge of time so there can be no disputing it. If they decide time is up, then time is up no matter how long has elapsed.

[Chris B.]

These Tasman guys are determined to raise my blood pressure this season.

What should have been a comfortable win gets turned into a nail-biter by some idiocy from Alex Ainley and some clumsiness by Aumua.

Still - would have been an injustice if we didn't get the points from that. Onward and upward.

[KiwiMurph]

Great game to watch as a neutral.

[Chris B.]

Man of the match for Tasman - Mitch Hunt. Honourable mentions for Guyton, Lowe, Taufua and Blackadder. Several others pretty good.