Ranfurly Shield Challenge

Hooroo

Drive it vs King Country
 
Any ferner going?
 
It's at Matamata, so I will be going as the pub is shouting some beers and bbq.
 
First challenge I have been to since we took it off Harbour and WtW and I burnt some poor sods harbour flag.

Bovidae

I'm going as long as it's not pissing down. I was in Paeroa and will go to the Wanganui game in Cambridge next Sat.
 
The Waikato team has been named:
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
 
Six new caps have been named in the Waikato team for the second Ranfurly Shield defence of the year against King Country at Bedford Park in Matamata on Saturday 30 July.
New Zealand Under 20s prop Sefo Kautai is one of three debutants in the run on team, alongside two other former New Zealand age group representatives - centre Nathaniel Apa and wing Penikolo Latu.
On the bench Hamilton Marist hooker Steven Misa, Melville prop Josh Iosefa-Scott and Hamilton Old Boys halfback Pele Cowley have all be named for the first time.
Whetu Douglas will captain the side from Number 8 and form a loose forward trio with New Zealand Under 20s flanker Mitch Jacobson and James Tucker who has been released from the Chiefs for the match. Fullback Jordan Trainor is also back after his Super Rugby season with the Blues and New Zealand Under 20s campaign.
Other notable inclusions are lock Brian Alainu'uese who will make his first Waikato appearance since 2013 after a terrible run of injuries, and first five Sam Christie who returns to the Waikato side after two seasons in Italy.
Tickets for the match are available at the gate on gameday or from the Matamata i-SITE - 45 Broadway, Matamata or 07 888 7260.Grandstand $25, General Admission $15, Children 5-16 $5, Children Under 5 Free.
 
The Waikato team to play in the Ranfurly Shield match against King Country at Bedford Park in Matamata on Saturday 30 July (kick off 2.35pm) is: 
 
1. Tau Koloamatangi (6) University
2. Hame Faiva (22) University
3. Sefo Kautai () Hamilton Marist
4. Jacob Skeen (15) University
5. Brian Alainu'uese (8) University
6. James Tucker (9) Hamilton Marist
7. Mitch Jacobson (6) Hautapu
8. Whetu Douglas [captain] (24) University
9. Harrison Levien (5) Hamilton Marist
10. Sam Christie (42) Fraser Tech
11. Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara (1) Hamilton Old Boys
12. Tevita Taufui (1) Melville
13. Nathaniel Apa () Fraser Tech
14. Penikolo Latu () University
15. Jordan Trainor (1) Fraser Tech
 
16. Steven Misa () Hamilton Marist
17. Latu Talakai (21) Fraser Tech
18. Josh Iosefa-Scott () Melville
19. Sam Caird (1) Hautapu
20. Murray Iti (7) Otorohanga
21. Pele Cowley () Hamilton Old Boys
22. Matty Lansdown (1) Fraser Tech
23. Sevu Reece (1) Melville
 
() = caps for Waikato
* = debut for Waikato
</blockquote>

NZRUGBYQUIZZES

Hopefully Colin Meads is feeling a bit better and can come along to support his side.

Smithy_NZ

Sevu Reece should be in Super Rugby next year... boy is phenomenal talent.

Stargazer

Penikolo Latu in the Waikato squad? I had totally missed that. Another former Magpie. I hope he can stay healthy and fit this year. He seemed to be very talented a couple of years ago, but has not been seen since (I believe he had surgery on his hip last year?).

Bovidae

Only 6 starters from the last game vs Thames Valley so I expect Botherway is using these 3 games to give players opportunties before the squad is announced. Adam Burn was the captain in that game but isn't in the 23 for KC.
 
I didn't see any club rugby this year but I am still surprised that Melville don't have too many players in the team as they won the comp. Chiefs players like Moli, TKB, Donald, ALB, DMac and Stevenson plus Uhila and Halaholo will come into the squad. Maybe Hohneck depending on when he is leaving.

Pepe

An experienced King Country Rams team has been named with the bulk of last years Lochore Cup winning team retained :
 
1. Carl Carmichael
2. Sean Wandin
3. Steve Te Moananui
4. Gene Waller
5. Aarin Dunster (c)
6. Anthony Wise
7. Sam Mason
8. Rob Sherson
9. Zayn Tipping
10. Whakataki Cunningham
11. Dean Church
12. Gilberto Pavan
13. Stephan Turner
14. Paul Olsen
15. James Hemara
 
Reserves: Josh Dias, James Ritchie, Adam Morris, Steve Henry, Michael Foden, Kieron Rollerson, Te Waiti Marekura, Thomas Orr.
 
Unfortunately, the Tree is still not well enough to attend but I'm sure he will be there in spirit. 
 
A large contingent from the King Country are travelling up to Matamata so lock up your wives, daughters and household pets...or whatever you value most...

Tim

Harbour a big chance for the shield. First challenge of the NPC.

mariner4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="601153" data-time="1469749777">
<div>
Harbour a big chance for the shield. First challenge of the NPC.
</div>
</blockquote>
pffft hahahahaha!
 
you really are the funniest guy on here

Hooroo

I wouldn't be too sad if we lost it to the Heartland Championship. but I expect KC to ship around 50 points

Bovidae

Out of all the challengers if Waikato was to lose, I'd rather it was to Manawatu.

Pepe

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="601168" data-time="1469752897">
<div>
I wouldn't be too sad if we lost it to the Heartland Championship. but I expect KC to ship around 50 points
</div>
</blockquote>
 Given the forecast wet conditions, we will happily take a lazy 40 point head start if it's on offer...

Stargazer

So what would happen if a Heartland team wins it? I assume it will be challenged in the Heartland competition this season, but will there be 1-3 challenges by Mitre10 Cup teams at the beginning of next season?
Or does it work differently if a Heartland team holds the shield?

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="601291" data-time="1469786972">
So what would happen if a Heartland team wins it? I assume it will be challenged in the Heartland competition this season, but will there be 1-3 challenges by Mitre10 Cup teams at the beginning of next season? 
Or does it work differently if a Heartland team holds the shield?</blockquote>
Who knows? Who was the last non first div team to win it? 
Waikato on the back of Arthur Stone?

? Offline

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="601291" data-time="1469786972">
<div>
So what would happen if a Heartland team wins it? I assume it will be challenged in the Heartland competition this season, but will there be 1-3 challenges by Mitre10 Cup teams at the beginning of next season?
Or does it work differently if a Heartland team holds the shield?
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Correct.

Hooroo

[attachment=2060:IMG_1720.JPG] 
Ready for kick offf

Bovidae

For those of us in the cheap seats it was mainly wet and windy conditions. That was like the old days of playing on heavy fields in the mud.
 
From the Mooloo website:
<img src="https://scontent-syd1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13686763_10154436087861318_1507995770191266512_n.jpg?oh=34a219d72052b10bcd0d7a0bd2b65856&oe=582A82AC" alt="13686763_10154436087861318_1507995770191">
 
Wanganui at Cambridge this Sat.

Hooroo

Caught up with WTW there.
 
Was a great day out if you were warm and dry! Plenty of quiets chopped, so much so that for the first time in a long time, I have memory blanks. Woke in the morning to see if the Chiefs had won. They hadn't :(
 
If Sky would let the unions take the games to the smaller towns, the unions would make so so much more (Well the Waikato union would) Apparently it cost $30k to host the shield and that was covered by corporate tents easily in this case. Massive turnout considering the weather.
 
Great day

NZRUGBYQUIZZES

In the meantime Wanganui knock over a Taranaki Development XV convincingly.
 
Could they be half a chance?

Bovidae

I read that. Hopefully the weather is good for Sat as these RS games are played on club fields which are at the other end of the spectrum to Waikato Stadium underfoot.

The Silver Fern

Ranfurly Shield Challenge