Magpies v North Harbour

[Stargazer]

We may have a first-five eighth problem, if Tiaan hasn't recovered from his injury on Saturday and if Pasqualle Dunn gets cited for his two tip-tackles. Dunn was the one replacing Falcon at first five when he got that injury to his face against Counties.

I saw this post on Tiaan's instagram, and the first-choice 10 of the Saracens - Tianua Poto - is also injured.

So, if this happens, will they throw McClutchie in at the deep end, or will they move someone else to 10, with McClutchie on the bench? Tuilagi took over the goal kicking when Falcon couldn't take the kicks, but can he play at 10?

[footy01]

They put Stacey Ili into 10 when Falcon goes off. Dunn is only a midfielder. They could look to put Lincoln into the starting spot or move Stacey into 10

[Stargazer]

Harbour

[Stargazer]

Magpies

1 Mark Braidwood (31)
2 Kianu Kereru-Symes (19)
3 Ben May (35)
4 Tom Parsons (28)
5 Michael Allardice (26)
6 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u (20)
7 Josh Kaifa (26)
8 Gareth Evans (cc) (27)
9 Brad Weber (cc) (27)
10 Lincoln McClutchie* (19)
11 Mason Emerson (22)
12 Pasqualle Dunn (24)
13 Stacey Ili (25)
14 Jonah Lowe (22)
15 JJ Taulagi (25)

Reserves:
16 Ben Power (21)
17 Joe Apikotoa (22)
18 Pouri Rakete-Stones (21)
19 Geoff Cridge (23)
20 Devan Flanders (19)
21 Folau Fakatava (18)
22 Sasa Tofilau (24)
23 Michael Buckley (23)

.

Woweee, McClutchie thrown in at the deep end; getting a start on debut. That's the 4th of last year's Hastings Boys champions squad getting into the 23. Only Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe and Danny Toala are still waiting for their debut.

Edited to add the players' age.

[Number 10]

Yep, like it - the only realistic option.

Better than the other option of playing someone else there who is out of position.

So Lincoln McClutchie debuts in the ten jersey aged 19.

Back in 1963 Blair Furlong debuted in the ten jersey aged 18.

[Stargazer]

Just to have an idea how young our squad is, I've added the players' age (couldn't find the DOB of Buckley).

[Number 10]

@stargazer Buckley was 23 in May.

Average age of the team tomorrow is 23.

According to the Rugby Almanack, the average age of a player in last year's Mitre 10 Cup (all teams) was 24.

[Higgins]

Good start by the good guys
The Bay 03 -00 Harbour after four minutes and JJ Taulagi not yet done anything warranting his sixth yellow card of the season

[Nepia]

Try to Kereru-Symes!

[Higgins]

And it gets better with the Bay hooker over for the try after Matt Duffy stuffs things up

[Higgins]

That Harbour guy that started that breakout by getting in the way of a HB backline attack was at least three metres off side but it's OK as we have Mr. Dockery in the TMO box so any resulting try would have been disallowed,

[Nepia]

This game is end to end. Harbour unlucky not to have scored a try.

[Nepia]

Bullshit penalty earlier, NH guy was completely blocking the ruck whe Ili got penalised for holding on.

[Higgins]

Interesting call there. Surely that should be an obstruction penalty after Harbour took a quick tap penalty right behind where a Harbour player was getting injury treatment preventing the HB guys putting in a tackle. That's a clear shepherd and a penalty to HB in my book.

[Higgins]

Phew, an obstruction call there preventing clear Harbour try. The guy would have scored anyway so it was not required!

[Nepia]

Dumb play by the Harbour 6 then, the Magpies haven't been able to tackle the Harbour 8 all day.

[Nepia]

Lowe in after Allardice went all BBBR!

Nice wide pass from McClutchie and Lowe beat a couple to get in.

17-10 after Yellow Card gets the conversion ... seems like he should have been kicking all year.

[Higgins]

Nice try all right, especially after continued off sides by the Harbour No 13. He might as well paint some black hoops onto his jersey to make himself an official HB player.

[Nepia]

Duffy in, our defence is bloody poor this year.

[Higgins]

Especially on our left hand side. Bloody unlucky that Duffy should choose this as about the first time he decided to catch the ball all game.
It is starting to look a bit ominous now with scrambling defence and a bit of luck helping the Bay retain the lead at half time

Hawkes Bay 17 - 15 North Harbour

[Stockcar86]

Sun is out for the second half. Good omen

[Stargazer]

Our defence isn't good enough and we're giving away too many penalties, and those of Harbour not always spotted.

[Higgins]

Stargazer said:

Our defence isn't good enough and we're giving away too many penalties, and those of Harbour not always spotted.

[Nepia]

Yellow Card in under the posts.

McClutchie is looking assured.

[Nepia]

And then he does a dumb bomb.

[Higgins]

Who's that Akira Ioane look alike at centre for us today?

[Nepia]

Higgins said:

Who's that Akira Ioane look alike at centre for us today?

Ili - he's our usual centre, one of the Aucklanders. He seems ok.

[Higgins]

Goodness, that was pretty woeful defence close in that let the latest Harbour try in as the Visitors take the lead after about 54 minutes
Hawkes Bay 27 - 29 North Harbour

[Stockcar86]

Looks like whoever scores last wins this one

[Nepia]

Yellow Card makes a try for Weber. The guy can play.

We're currently playing three No.8s in our loose trio.

[Higgins]

Defence now becoming optional as Brad weber waltzes in for a converted try

[Higgins]

Nepia said:

Yellow Card makes a try for Weber. The guy can play.

We're currently playing three No.8s in our loose trio.

I mentioned that in a post earlier this season after I saw him playing for Tech against Central HB earlier this season at Whitmore Park. He was in imperious form against admittedly poor opposition that day

[Nepia]

Higgins said:

Nepia said:

Yellow Card makes a try for Weber. The guy can play.

We're currently playing three No.8s in our loose trio.

I mentioned that in a post earlier this season after I saw him playing for Tech against Central HB earlier this season at Whitmore Park. He was in imperious form against admittedly poor opposition that day

Yeah, he seems mega talented with shitty discipline and his stupid one handed ball carry!

[Nepia]

What a BS penalty!

[Higgins]

We have had a coupe of those today. What about when the retreating Harbor player who picked up the ball that spat out the side of the ruck without putting himself onside immediately before aforesaid penalty? Right in front of the referee too.

[Nepia]

Stupid maul law again in the lead up to the Harbour try.

The Harbour maul was going backwards yet they were allowed to continue and then roll it round the side.

[Stargazer]

I'm pissed off about some of the officiating, but can't blame the ref for our loss. It all went to custard after that long injury break in the 68th minute. A mega lapse of concentration and shitty defence followed and boom, Harbour win easily. At least we got a bonus point out of this game, but this just shouldn't happen again and again.

Thought McClutchie had a good debut. The young lad didn't look out of place and didn't show his age. Kereru-Symes has a big future; I hope he keeps getting the starts. Taulagi and Lowe showing also showing lots of class again today.

Not impressed with Braidwood this season (well, I've never really been impressed tbh). I hope Tim Farrell has the last of his big injuries and can take over next season. I also can't help thinking it's May's last season. Both are well into their thirties. Is Tavita-Metcalfe injured and is he a TH or LH? Can't remember.

Our props and midfielders are clearly our weakest links (the latter mainly on defence). Young blood is available for the frontrow; not so sure about our midfield. Can only think of centre Leo Thompson from this year's Napier 1st XV. Not sure there's a good enough future prospect for the 12 jersey.

Northland next ... on Wednesday.