Wellington v Tasman

[Duluth]

1 Xavier Numia, 2 James O'Reilly, 3 Alex Fidow, 4 James Blackwell, 5 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 6 Vaea Fifita, 7 Mateaki Kafatolu, 8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 9 Connor Collins, 10 Jackson Garden Bachop, 11 Julian Savea, 12 Vince Aso, 13 Billy Proctor, 14 Wes Goosen, 15 Ruben Love

Reserves: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Morgan Poi, 18 Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 19 Taine Plumtree, 20 Sam Smith, 21 Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, 22 Aidan Morgan, 23 Pepesano Patafilo

[Chris B.]

Ta$man team named.

A big change is the availability of Quinten Strange. That allows Cirikidaveta to move to 6 and with Fox-Matamua at 8 and Segner on the bench, that should be quite a lot more physicality than earlier in the season.

Polataivao also comes back, which is stronger than Louie Chapman.

A downgrade at tighthead prop, where Salmon had lots of trouble last week after Sam Matenga dominated. Princep usually goes OK from the bench.

Quentin MacDonald also back on the bench for Sam Moli, which I'm not that sure about.

And Tima Faingaánuku gets a run on the wing ahead of Mark Talea - but, I'd imagine that's just a chance for Talea to freshen up - though maybe they noticed what Wellington did to Harbour's wings and wanted more security under the kicks.

[Dice]

Laban said that Savea was the star of the 2015 World Cup.

[Duluth]

Bad signs for the Wellington scrum

There might be a few today with the shitty conditions

[Dice]

Strange showing his AB credentials by getting bumped off by a little fullback.

[KiwiMurph]

Hunt has had a far better start to the game than Garden-Bachop

[Stockcar86]

Wait, I am sure I just heard Laban say "tackled by Isaac Ross", can't be true!

[Stockcar86]

How many points is that wind worth

[KiwiMurph]

This is an awful game.

[KiwiMurph]

So dumb from Savea.

[Winger]

Savea cost the team 5 points due to stupity

[Winger]

Blackwell another unforced error

[Winger]

Wellington scrums getting done over a bit

[Winger]

11-0. Stupidity and unforced error cost Well 8 points. But a strong wind at Ta$man's back in the first half. Reminds me of Athletic park back in the day

[Chris B.]

@Stockcar86 said in Wellington v Ta$man:

How many points is that wind worth

That's the million dollar question really.

Lots of breaks in play - tough to execute much, but I'd have been a lot happier if Ta$man had another 7 points to go with a half they largely dominated.

See what happens when the teams turn round - playing into a gale in the wet....

[mikey07]

Blackwell’s proving he’s well deserving of that Canes contract extension made -10 metres and knocked the ball on in a stupid position on the 22.

[mikey07]

Ta$man doing a good job of getting away being offside 3rd of 4th defender off the ruck. But hey still really good d regardless we’re struggling big time.

[KiwiMurph]

@Chris-B 11 point lead in the wet with the dominant scrum is nothing to sneeze at.

[mikey07]

@KiwiMurph I agree especially as Wellington look toothless.

[mikey07]

You think JGB would be controlling the game considering it’s his home ground there playing at. Just goes to show how rubbish he is I can’t wait for Morgan and Love to develop.