Tasman v Canterbury
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- Isi Tu'ungafasi, 2. Andrew Makalio (VC), 3. Isaac Salmon, 4. Alex Ainley (100 Games), 5. Quinten Strange, 6. Hugh Renton, 7. Sione Havili, 8. Taina Fox-Matamua, 9. Finlay Christie (50 Games), 10. Mitchell Hunt (VC), 11. Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12. Alex Nankivell, 13. Fetuli Paea, 14. Mark Telea, 15. David Havili (C). 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Ryan Coxon, 18. Sam Matenga, 19. Issac Ross, 20. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 21. Dwayne Polataivao, 22. Tim O'Malley, 23. Keiron Fonotia
Alex Ainley brings up 100 games.
Team as expected, except Renton is back as blindside flanker. Maybe looking for a bit more mobility against what is likely to be a small Canterbury loose trio.
Very pleased to see Sam Matenga back on the bench. Despite that Salmon went well vs Wellington, I think Matenga is our best scrummaging tighthead.
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CANTERBURY RELEASE
Influential loosie Tom Sanders returns to our bench for tomorrow's Mitre 10 Cup crunch match against our neighbours Tasman, in Blenheim.
"Having Tom will be a big boost for us, he was in great form before his injury and weāre looking forward to that sort of contribution again on Saturday." Said co-coach Reuben Thorne.
The team will be skippered by Reed Prinsep, who partners Billy Harmon and Tom Christie to form the loose forward trio. Liam Allen, whoās renowned for his physical no nonsense style of play, gets another opportunity in the 20 jersey. Daniel Lienert-Brown, Brodie McAlister, and Oli Jager once again pack down in the front row, with youngsters Shilo Klein, Finlay Brewis and Tamaiti Williams set to add impact from the pine.
Brett Cameron will start at first five eight this week with Fergus Burke unavailable. Rameka Poihipi will slot in one spot if required, a position he excelled at during his time at Hamilton Boys High School. Isaiah Punivai comes onto the bench this week along with half back Ereatara Enari.
"Weāre looking for a quality performance," said Thorne.
"Like every week, weāve done our homework on the opposition. Tasman are a well-drilled, quality side. But this has to be about us and getting the type of performance we can be proud of will take us a long way to getting the result weāre after."
Canterbury Team to play Tasman
Daniel Lienert-Brown
Brodie McAlister
Oliver Jager
Luke Romano
Sam Darry
Billy Harmon
Tom Christie
Reed Prinsep (C)
Mitchell Drummond (VC)
Brett Cameron
Ngatungane Punivai
Rameka Poihipi
Dallas McLeod
Chay Fihaki
Josh McKayReserves
Shilo Klein
Finlay Brewis
Tamaiti Williams
Liam Allen
Tom Sanders
Ereatara Enari
Isaiah Punivai
Andrew Knewstubb -
Christchurch....
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@Chris-B You might have to keep talking to yourself throughout this thread. Nearly all of the Canterbury fans have disappeared for the meantime but will be back once they start winning again.
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Iām still here. Looking forward to the game. A decent lineup for the Cantabs.
Whether Iāll be back tomorrow after 80 minutes is another thing š
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@African-Monkey I was about to say - @ACT-Crusader is still here! Kudos!!!
I'd actually rather Canterbury didn't get relegated as they are my second team - but, if they can save themselves by beating Auckland, that will do nicely!
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@Chris-B @ACT-Crusader Hence why I said 'nearly' hahaha. Yes I was thinking of you @ACT-Crusader when writing it.
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Still around as well sucker for punishment from this lot relegation what fucking disgrace if that happens.
Every year we have been sliding back recently a lot is sacrificed for the Crusaders at the moment. -
On a more serious note, that Canterbury side should not be where they are. They're light in a couple of areas but their forward pack on paper is still one of the stronger ones in the comp. It's still a good enough side to challenge for the title imo.
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@African-Monkey said in Tasman v Canterbury:
On a more serious note, that Canterbury side should not be where they are. They're light in a couple of areas but their forward pack on paper is still one of the stronger ones in the comp. It's still a good enough side to challenge for the title imo.
I agree
Depth is the main issue. Still, anything outside a top 3 finish should be considered a failure for that squad
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Thorne was hardly a success at Christs so must have got the job because of who he is, not what he had accomplished as a coach.
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Don't even know who to cheer for tbh. Probably Tasman so Canterbury stay bottom. Maybe a draw.
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Sione Havili down early. Knee was already heavily strapped.
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Surprised Punivai scored that, because for a big guy, he barely ever beats defenders.
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@Dice Very poor defence I thought.
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Be interesting to see if Sanders makes a difference. A harder, more physical loose forward to most of Canterbury's.
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Mitchell Hunt is another Auck Uni engineering graduate.
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Nankivell out with a broken hand.
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Looks like Nankivell is done for the season. Broke his hand.
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Canterbury looking good so far.
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Tasman's attack is pretty shite so far. No penetration.
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Drummondās play is all over the show. High passing, poor kicks.
Forward pack going very well.
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@Tim said in Tasman v Canterbury:
Tasman's attack is pretty shite so far. No penetration.
Sounds like most of us on a Saturday night.
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Tasman may wanna rethink throwing to the back.
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Tasman are going to have to do better if Canterbury are permitted to do anything at the ruck.
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That was a great chase and take by Fihaki, but Drummondās wayward pass stifles attacking momentum.
Nice penalty kick from Cameron.
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Best team defence Iāve seen from our boys for a while.
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Well done Strange in that maul, but poor set up by the Cantabs.
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McKay that was sweet
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McKay's been good tonight.
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Tasman not at the races.
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Nice try by McKay, straight up the middle. Tasman can't make inroads carrying, can't win a lineout and Canterbury go to the break 17 - 0 up.
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Canterbury definitely up for this ..halftime score actually flatters Tasman..
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This reminds me of Canterbury vs Nelson Bays back in the day
That's a determined red and black being ably led by Drummond -
Really disappointed that Tasman haven't stepped up to the plate here. They had a really important job to do.
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Tasman need to stop using the Crusader line-out calls. Canterbury stealing everything.
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@Steven-Harris said in Tasman v Canterbury:
Canterbury definitely up for this ..halftime score actually flatters Tasman..
We let ourselves down with a couple of silly penalties that allowed Tasman to get out of trouble.
But given how weāve played the last 5 games and points be a little hard to come by, Iām pretty pleased with 17 right now!
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Strange getting out-jumped by that giant Prinsep isn't a good look.
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Josh Mackay try reminds me of Marc Ellis for otago in the early 90s.
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I find it convenient that Tasman are having a ābad gameā playing big brother facing relegation.
