Counties Manukau v Bay of Plenty
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Bay of Plenty
1 James Lay (11)
2 Liam Polwart (15) (C)
3 Jeff Thwaites (22)
4 Kane Le’aupepe (1)
5 Aaron Carroll (1)
6 Tyler Ardron (7)
7 Mitch Karpik (7)
8 Hoani Matenga (1)
9 Richard Judd (11)
10 Mike Delany (73) (VC)
11 Mathew Garland (4)
12 Terrence Hepetema (20)
13 Liam Steel (5)
14 Fa’asiu Fuatai (1)
15 Chase Tiatia (27)Reserves:
16 Angus MacDonald (1)
17 Solomona Sakalia (34)
18 Ross Geldenhuys (1)
19 Baden Wardlaw (1)/Tanerau Latimer (79) (VC)
20 Zane Kapeli (1)
21 Luke Campbell (17)
22 Jason Robertson*
23 Trael Joass (1)*Denotes debut
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he PIC Counties Manukau Steelers will field a virtually unchanged team when they host Bay of Plenty in their first home game at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe on Thursday.
Veteran prop Sean Bagshaw returns for his first stage and his 42nd game for the Steelers is the only listed change to the pack, which impressed last week at scrum and in the collisions in an aggressive display, although they are looking for more accuracy in their lineout set-piece.
In the backs, Latiume Fosita, who guided Ardmore Marist to club success this year, will make his debut at first-five with Luteru Laulala slotting in at fullback as the only changes in the backs.
Coach Darryl Suasua said while the start to the competition had some bright moments, the team was disappointed not to take maximum points against Auckland.
“The boys all believe it was one they let slip. Our defence let us down although the good part was that our systems worked well and it was individual one-on-one defence that was costly which we’ve been working on this week,” he said.
“There’s a good feeling among the team although it is a short turn around for both teams for a Thursday game.
“We are looking for more accuracy on defence and also have more patience on attack. Bay of Plenty were impressive against a good Taranaki side so we will need to step up.”
The game at Navigation Homes in Pukekohe kicks off at 7.35pm on Thursday.
The team is:
1.Sean Bagshaw, 2. Joseph Royal, 3. Kalolo Tuiloma or Coree Te Whata-Colley, 4. Viliame Rarasea, 5. Matiaha Martin, 6. Matt Vaai, 7. Fotu Lokotui, 8. Sam Henwood ©; 9. Te Aihe Toma, 10. Latiume Fosita, 11. Tevita Nambura, 12. Orbyn Leger, 13. Nigel Ah Wong, 14. Sione Molia, 15. Luteru Laulala
Reserves: 16. Gafatasi Su’a, 17. Howard Sililoto, 18. Coree Te Whata Colley/Jared Firth/Abraham Falani, 19. Michael McKee, 20. Viliami Taulani, 21. Siaosi Nginingini 22. Sam Furniss 23. Cardiff Vaega
Not considered because of injury: Toni Pulu (rib), Suetena Asomua (calf), Sione Fifita (calf), Daymon Leasuasu (shoulder), Dan Hyatt (hip), Jonathan Taumateine (season), Etene Nanai-Seturo (hamstring), Kalione Hala (knee).
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Didn't Fosita start last week?
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@tim Yes.
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Counties don't look too good.
BOP dominating possession and territory, but can't get any points on the board.
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BOP finally get over the line. Judd with a good skip pass to Tiatia for the score out wide.
Delany converts and it's 7 - 0 to BOP.
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Things look even bleaker now as finally BoP somehow manage to find a way through the defence to score at last. Not really a big surprise given they have had about 85% possession and territory during the 25 minutes of play so far.
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So many turnovers in this game. Not the best game to watch.
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Chase Tiatia is so casual at the back
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Counties score. I didn't see it, but it looks like Royal scored it.
7 - 5 to BOP.
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Richard Judd's service has been terrible.
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Jeez BOP have mastered the art of botching opportunities.
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That's more like it. BOP have been dominant but have made hard work of their points so far.
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Judd gets under Leger to score. 17 - 12 to BOP.
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Latimer on. Great to see another oldtimer back playing NPC after returning from overseas.
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Royal has thrown about 5 or so not straights that he has gotten away with. Refs being very lenient.
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Big moment in the match. BOP get out of jail.
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Judd having a much better second half
EDIT: Campbell is on.
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@donsteppa And two ex Wellington boys combine to score.
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@canes4life said in Counties Manukau v Bay of Plenty:
@donsteppa And two ex Wellington boys combine to score.
Coached in their Wellington time by a BoP coach
(At least in Tiatia’s case)
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Not sure why Clayton has subbed Hepetema, and his replacement promptly drops it cold.
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@donsteppa Great partnerships then. Come on the Bay, finish it off.
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Henwood scores for Counties. 22 - 17 to BOP.
Henwood has had quite a good game. Probably been Counties best.
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Big turnover by Karpik. BOP will be keen to milk a penalty to get it up by 8.
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Two wins over two Premiership sides: GO THE BAY!!
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Go the Bay
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4 of our first 5 are against Premiership teams.
Great start.
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Never thought we would win that. Great resilience from that bunch and smart play ad well. Bring on the Cantabs ....
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Ideal start to the season for BOP.
Can't say the same for Counties who start the season 0 - 2. They've got some tougher Premiership games to come, so they'll need to really improve if they're to avoid being relegated.
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Great start to the comp from BOP, confidence gained form those 2 wins will be invaluable as they get to the tougher part of the comp and play Championship teams
