I spent pretty all my career as a hooker. I was really good actually apart from lacking any size, was really really slow, had no ball skills, was blind without my glasses and was a coward in contact. As you could imagine I hung up my boots very early !

I feel sorry for you guys as I know how you feel. Bay of Plenty have been in that exact same position many, many times. One thing that is showing in Bay of Plenty Rugby this year is the quality of players we now have. Put simply, that is the basic ingredient for any team. We seems to have a nice mix of experience and emerging talent which is the result of many things :- (1) Our academy seems to finally be producing the talent which it never did for years. Narawa is a prime example. (2) We have made some good player purchases (3) The core of the team have been around for a few years and have grown into their roles. Obviously coaching, injuries and team culture are also important but at the end of the day player quality is the basic ingredient for success.

Bunnings Warehouse NPC and Heartland Championship Update

The Bunnings Warehouse NPC match between Bay of Plenty and Northland, scheduled to be played at Tauranga Domain at 2.05pm this Sunday, will be postponed.

After consulting with their playing groups, both unions agreed it did not feel appropriate to play on the day of Sean Wainui’s tangi.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is working with the Bay of Plenty and Northland unions to reschedule the match, which had been scheduled to be played and will announce details in due course.

Additionally, as a sign of respect to Sean and his whānau NZR have asked the rugby community to come together to acknowledge Sean’s life prior to all Bunnings Warehouse NPC and Heartland Championship matches this weekend.

Players, coaches, managers and match officials will be wearing black armbands and Sean will also be acknowledged via a special tribute and moment's silence prior to each match this weekend.

Some thoughts.

Two tries each with Auckland getting two penalties. One Auckland try resulted from Tiatia waiting for a ball from kick off, which was bouncing, to go out of play but it was scooped up by an Aucklander who scored.

A good game for BOP to get before the season proper.

This Auckland side is a pretty decent side boasting Akira Ioane (who is unstoppable with ball in hand), Blake Gibson and Dalton Popalii in the loose forwards as examples.

There were a lot of replacements (Auckland had 12 and BOP had 8).

Many in the BOP team played in different positions at different times during the game.

Le'aupepe, Wardlaw, Latimer, Delany, Robertson and Foketi never played.

I'm not worried at all by the result as BOP should take a lot of learning from the game. Theres plenty to work on...lineouts, tackling and kicking come to mind.

Bring on the real games. I can't wait.

Okay, we are halfway through the competition and I'm curious to know where we could possibly finish. Here's some rough guesses as to what the future results will be :-

Bay of Plenty.
Lose to Taranaki. Beat Northland, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Southland. Total extra points 16.

Taranaki.
Lose to Waikato and Auckland. Beat Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and Southland. Total extra points 12.

Hawkes Bay.
Lose to Waikato, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and Tasman.
Total extra point 0.

Otago.
Lose to Wellington, North Harbour, Waikato and Canterbury. Beat Northland.
Total extra points 4.

This obviously does not include bonus points which could totally change things.

Anyway if we add these extra points to those already won the final points would read :-

Bay of Plenty 32
Taranaki 26
Hawkes Bay 23
Otago 19

I'm totally aware that this is just "pie in the sky" stuff and I'm often wrong (almost always). What it does show however is that it is still anyone's competition to win and one upset could decide the final winners or one result could change the final standings. (Hawkes Bay could beat us which would leapfrog them to second but we would remain on top.) It will be fascinating.

I know my predictions will be scoffed at by many (particularly those from Hawkes Bay). I know The TAB predict Taranaki to end above us on the table and they are more often than not right.. What I would like to know is "How far out am I ? "

My thoughts:-

1. Shame on you Rotorua for not coming out in numbers to the semi and the final. Those games were high profile and the weather came to the party so there really wasn't to many excuses for the poor attendance. I'm sure if those games were played in Tauranga there would have been almost double the crowd. I see the topic of a Tauranga stadium is appearing in the media again.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=12277572

2. While it wasn't a flash game, it was enthralling, probably because it was a final and close. The Manawatu semi, while being a spectacle, just wasn't as captivating for me... mainly because it was so one sided. I'm a hard man to please I guess even if I aged 10 years during last nights game.

3. I haven't seen the game on TV but, at the ground , the game plan seemed odd. Too much kicking (especially in the first half) and not enough use of the strike power out wide.

4. Good on them for holding out at the end ! Past teams perhaps wouldn't have.

5. I guess we will have to start wondering who will be back next year (and who won't) and who will move to the province. If the rumours are true (and I'm not saying they are) we will be getting Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi for next year which is interesting.

6. Given that we beat three Premier teams and almost beat a couple of others , I think this years team would foot it comfortably in the top division. However we don't know the make up of next years team so things are somewhat uncertain. I think I heard Clayton McMillan say somewhere that it is easier to stay in The Premier Division than it is to get promoted up from the Championship which stands to reason.

7. The Union seems to be in a good position right now with success of age group teams, Development and The Steamers which bodes well for the future.

8. I will miss the NPC .

@Stargazer Excellent reply ! I'm glad you picked up on that deliberate Counties/ Canterbury mistake..

I actually went to this game. I'm not sure what you can read into the result for various reasons. Firstly BOP were without Ah Kuoi, Douglas, Harris, Lalomilo, Narawa, Garland and Tiatia so were definitely not at full strength. Secondly Harbour had 15 reserves . Pretty much all of the first half team were replaced at half time. BOP, by contrast, only had 2 or 3 back reserves which saw half backs playing on the wings and weirdly a lock briefly playing on the wing also for a time. So it wasn't a "normal" game.

BOP lead for the whole game and Harbour scored the final three tries which made the result look a lot closer than it really was. From memory three or four tries were scored by rolling mauls....its becoming increasingly important for teams to learn to execute or combat these as they are a weapon. The Bays set piece was better than Perth which is pleasing but it wasn't dominant .

No one particularly stood out although I'm liking Selby-Ricket....hard working and aggressive. The Bay seems to have pretty handy top group of players but depth could be an issue with injuries.

The Harbour game will give us a better gauge at where we stand.

Okay, work is quiet and I must be bored !

Its probably only a couple of weeks till the naming of the Steamers team and maybe a month till preseason games begin so its time to guess who has/hasn’t made the cut. I’m pretty sure the team will be pretty much known in rugby circles but nothing official via the press or BOPRU so I haven’t a clue. With today’s professional era and High Performance groups and Academies operating I’m sure things have been arranged which is unlike the old days when the team naming was a big deal.

Anyway, as mentioned earlier, a large proportion of last years team are still “about” but I’m in the dark as to who is contracted or available. For want of a better way of doing it lets go through them with each position.

HOOKERS:- Last year there was Harris, O’Reilly, Polwart, Royal and Siataga. Five hookers seemed an overkill at the time but given injuries and Harris being away with the AB’s that number was possibly justified. Royal is apparently playing in Auckland and I’m not sure where O’Reily is so a space is maybe there for someone else.

PROPS:- Last year there was Fisihoi, Lay, Ross, Sakalia, Tala’apilaga and Thwaites. Tala’apilaga is the only one gone apparently and his place seems to have been taken by James Lay (Brother of Jordan)

LOCKS:-Last year there was Callendar, Mewett and Rettalick. Rettalick is the only one who I am uncertain of as the other two are still playing locally. Sooner or latter he will have to hang up his boots but he seems to still be performing creditably so I wouldn’t discount him returning. I’m guessing Le'aupepe might be signed as his heir apparent. As we know Franklin has been signed but his huge workload in Super rugby must be taking a toll..Only having three specialist locks is a surprise but the No.6 usually provides cover.

LOOSE FORWARDS:-Last year we had Parette, Axtens, Cane, Blake, Karpik, Stowers, Smith-Wano and Tupe. Well Tupe is gone and I have no idea what Blake is up to so spaces available here. Ardon (the Canadian) has been signed but I am unsure what season he begins playing for us. Mua or possibly even Mabbet-Stowerby could be long shot for selection.

HALF BACKS:- Last year we had Campbell, Toma and Tipuna. I understood Toma was playing in Europe but I see he is turning out for Te Puna in club rugby recently so who knows! Richard Judd has been signed from Counties so expect changes.

FIRST FIVES:- Last year we had Hollinshead and Haimona. Haimona is the only one left. Hollinshead’s replacement is the most eagerly awaited selection as the first five seems to be taking the blame for our misfiring backs. The young Trask (Son of ex BOP Bruce Trask) seems to be talked about as the next in line and I haven’t watched enough local rugby to know who else is putting their hand up.

SECOND FIVE/CENTRE:- Last year we had Hepetema, Foketi, Nicolas and Stanaway. They are all still about but Liam Steel has been signed so someone will be dropped I assume. Garland from Hawkes Bay is also on the scene.

WINGS:- Last year we had Webber, Ioane and Ware who, as far as I am aware, are still on the scene. It will be interesting if they give Masarewa a chance.

FULL BACKS:- Last year we had Fraser, Te Aute and Tiatia. Fraser has gone and my pick is for Robertson-Wepu to replace him who could also cover for first five.

As you’ve probably guessed, I am just as much in the dark as you guys. I have no doubt there will be new signings and changes to personal yet to be announced.

So now its your turn......What changes need to be made? Who should be cut from last year? Anyone know who else has been performing at club level? Have I missed any players?

@Donsteppa Good luck with finding that sort of information from the Union. Would also be interested to know what happened to Tiatia and Laupepe ?

Just checked the team lists and there is a "Jacob Norris " playing for Tauranga Sports. Could be a handy acquisition if its the same one...

Jacob Norris

Originally from the Waikato, Jacob went down to the Crusader Academy in Nelson in 2018.

Also a "Connor McLeod" is playing for Judea But are unsure if its the one in question.

@Tim I have no idea. Sorry.

Well, in the absence of anyone else I thought I would start a BOP tread for all its worth.  I'd be interested to know what everyone thinks about the coming season and if anyone knows of any signings etc. But firstly...

Coach :- It was no surprise to see that Daryl Gibson has gone given last years underwhelming season. The only real question is if he was "pushed" or whether he "walked" or whether the official line is correct. Delany's promotion could be seen as a surprise when you consider that he has never been a head coach of any team  (correct me if I'm wrong there ) and, as far as I'm aware, the job was never advertised. He has however been in the system for a long time so I'm hoping that the transition isn't too brutal. I wonder if the likes of Glen Jackson or Marty Burke have been earmarked for future rolls and whether they have even been approached ?

Game schedule :- I'm guessing you've all seen the schedule which has some big changes...No Rotorua games and no night games. I can't say I'll miss freezing nights in Rotorua and Tauranga is a far more welcoming venue. Three games in eight days against Hawkes Bay, Northland and Waikato will be brutal (especially at the end of the season ). As usual no direct Shield challengers but I think there is a small chance that if NH beats HB and defend it against Counties, we get the next challenge. There's probably other permutations but I haven't looked closely.

Players :- There has been an exodus of several senior players from the roster (Black, Douglas, Harris, Scott-Young, Van Den Hoven, Campbell, Wainui are a few that I can recall) so I'm expecting many new signings. I have no idea of any new names playing locally or even who is injured or who is playing Super Rugby. I'm sure someone here will know.

Anyway, its probably far to early to be thinking about the NPC (I'm more looking forward to The Blackcaps in England right now) ....and I really should get back to work.

Comments ?

@bovidae Just done a quick google as I know nothing about him.

Apparently did his High Schooling in Tauranga and went to Uni at Waikato where he played for The University Club. Is now The Port Operations Co-Ordinator at Mainfreight at the Mount

I'm afraid I'm in the "sack the coach" camp !!

Gibson's selection was questionable right from the start given the results he has had in past coaching roles ...as has been mentioned many times here. Did he get the job on his profile and past playing career or was he simply the best candidate? Obviously I don't know and I know people can use all sorts of excuses (Sean Wainui, Covid and injuries)but the team hasn't really delivered. The Hawkes Bay and Taranaki games were particularly galling, given we were virtually at full strength. Both those teams looked well drilled, better organised and were simply more cohesive and accurate . BOP however looked ill prepared and seemed to lack ideas.

I know I'm just venting because of how we're been playing but I suspect the Union isn't too impressed either. I see , at the latest awards presentations, the team of the year went to the Toa and the coach of the year unbelievably went to Rodney Gibbs whose team I think only won one game this year (correct me if I'm wrong).....hardly a great vindication of how they thought the Steamers went.

I know injuries have been horrendous this year. We were one of a handful of spectators at the Northland game in Rotorua and, sure, we won but (with respect to Northland) it looked like two pretty average teams playing and one slightly less average team winning. The one huge plus is the blooding of a few new players. Sangster has been a revelation !

I'm glad I have gotten that off my chest. I seem to recall being wrongly cynical of McMillan's selection many years ago and I know the season isn't over yet so I sincerely hope Mr Gibson can redeem himself in my eyes.

Bunnings Warehouse NPC and Heartland Championship Update

The Bunnings Warehouse NPC match between Bay of Plenty and Northland, scheduled to be played at Tauranga Domain at 2.05pm this Sunday, will be postponed.

After consulting with their playing groups, both unions agreed it did not feel appropriate to play on the day of Sean Wainui’s tangi.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is working with the Bay of Plenty and Northland unions to reschedule the match, which had been scheduled to be played and will announce details in due course.

Additionally, as a sign of respect to Sean and his whānau NZR have asked the rugby community to come together to acknowledge Sean’s life prior to all Bunnings Warehouse NPC and Heartland Championship matches this weekend.

Players, coaches, managers and match officials will be wearing black armbands and Sean will also be acknowledged via a special tribute and moment's silence prior to each match this weekend.

@arhs I'm really not 100% sure. Apparently there is one player who is tied up in the Auckland border crossing thing but I'm not sure who that is. Ah Kuoi was carrying an injury but I saw him at the Tasman game (6 weeks ago) and didn't look to incapacitated. I'm pretty sure he would be playing in the place of Sangster if available. I spoke to Mafilio at one of the games and he said he had a back injury. Webber has been seen training on Facebook and looked okay. Garland was unavailable early in the season because of family matters but I'm not sure of his availability now. Filipo and Broughton were only ever in the Wider training group. I think you're probably right about the strategic inclusion of Black, Harris and Van den Hoven and maybe the non-inclusion of several players is because of form. You also have to remember that Black hasn't played for a quite a while so I'm sure they will be easing him in a bit. Its still a pretty handy team given that two ex All Blacks can come on as reserves.

For me, the only real surprise is Sangster.