Wednesday 12 July 2023
Levin Domain
K/o 2.05pm
Posting this now, in case I forget:
:television: Live in NZ on Sky Sport 1
:laptop_computer:
For viewers outside NZ, they're trying to get a livestream up, according to the Horo-Kap Facebook page. More info to follow.
Also, if you can't watch live, but would like to listen to live commentary, then Te Upoko o Te Ika is the radio channel to listen to (1161AM, 87.6FM & streaming via iHeartRadio, and here).
From instagram:
wgtnrugby Our 23 to defend the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in 2023, against Horowhenua-Kapiti in Levin tomorrow.
11 players in line for their Lions debut!
@Stargazer I wonder if Aumua even travelled. Didn’t see him in any of the pics that the All Blacks XV page promoted.
Good to see him in the Wellington side.
Also good to see TJ Clarke at fullback. He’s been electric for Petone.
@Canes4life said in Horowhenua-Kapiti v Wellington (RS):
I wonder if Aumua even travelled. Didn’t see him in any of the pics that the All Blacks XV page promoted.
He was in Japan.
@Stargazer good spot, that’s interesting.
4 from Paremata Plim
First game for Plummer and Henry to show if they might have the goods for a super rugby contract. Maybe even the replacement hooker
@foobaNZ said in Horowhenua-Kapiti v Wellington (RS):
@Winger respect to Horowhenua but not sure performing well against them is really a gauge towards Super selection.
Consistency over NPC proper will be a better guide.
Agree. The first 2 are already in the running. Now they just need to perform at NPC level. This is just the first game.
Sheck might be another contender but he has already had games last NPC. But he too needs to perform again this year.
These three need to initially lock down a starting spot. That night be hard for a lock unless there are injuries. Performing in these two shield challenges even though against weaker teams will help of course
Well being from the mighty Nua originally, was going to wander down and watch game, but have got tied up bugger it all. So will have to go down to Levin on the Nua's first defence I guess!
If you're outside NZ, you may be able to view this game via the Rugby Network. Registration required, but it probably won't cost you anything.
I haven't checked it, because it will be geo-blocked in NZ.
HT: Horo-Kap 0 - 35 Wellington
Wellington first half tries: Halalilo, Bird, Aumua & Saumaki (2x); conversions Morgan (5x)
Whoever makes the graphics for Sky Sport hasn't received the news that Wellington have a new head coach, this season. :man_facepalming_medium_skin_tone:
FT: Horo-Kap 7 - 68 Wellington
Wellington second half tries: Northcott, Faleafaga, Sam Clarke, Uluilakepa, TJ Clarke; conversions Morgan (4x)
Horo-Kap try: Malaki Masoe (nephew off); conversion Connor Paki
The score actually flatters Wellington a bit, because they struggled in the second half to come out of their own half and Horowhenua-Kapiti was unlucky not to score early in that half (knock-on in-goal). In that second 40, Wellington played against the wind and Asafo Aumua's yellow card didn't help either. The card was for a high tackle. No doubt on the part of the ref, and Aumua may be lucky there's no TMO in these games, and very limited camera angles. If there was contact with the head (not saying there was), it has either not been picked up or has gone unpunished. Also one of the Wellington tries would have received extra attention from the TMO as well, as the player looked in touch.
Stand-out for me was Peter U-J, who had some awesome clean breaks, two of which lead to a try. Logan Henry was good, too, and Isi Saumaki looked threatening. Morgan was typical Morgan, some really nice touches but also some howlers of passes. His goal-kicking went well.
In the forwards, particularly Dominic Bird was good and Halalilo had a good work rate.
It's very hard to draw any conclusions from games like these, although the Wellington coaches will have noticed some clear work-ons, especially in the second half. Nice detail: both Clarke brothers scored on debut. Apparently, they're from the Chatham Islands.
@Stargazer thanks for the rundown. I'm going to try and catch a replay of this game tonight after being in meetings all arvo.
@Winger said in Horowhenua-Kapiti v Wellington (RS):
How was Plummer and Henry. Both got Canes game time but only a few minutes
I mentioned Henry. He played well. Didn't really notice much of Plummer. That doesn't mean he didn't play well; it's just that Bird was quite dominant in the Lions' pack and caught all the attention.
It was also harder to pick players to have an extra look at, because there were only a few cameras and the footage just wasn't as good as it usually is. The cameras rarely zoomed in, so some things were hard to see.
5 Plummer actually scored a try for Wellington in the first half - Sky credited it to 4 Bird.
@Number-10 Yeah, that was what i meant with limited camera work. It was sometimes hard to see who scored.
@Number-10 Not just Sky; also the radio commentators.
Thanks. Tried to watch the game via TRN but no joy
Well haven't seen game yet (at golf), but obviously a trversty of justice and ref must of been on the take for the Mighty Nua to lose this one!!!:face_with_symbols_on_mouth:
