1 Aidan Ross, 2 Kurt Eklund (c), 3 Benet Kumeroa, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5 Justin Sangster, 6 Jacob Norris, 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Nikora Broughton, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10 Lucas Cashmore, 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 12 Willis Halaholo, 13 Emoni Narawa, 14 Leroy Carter, 15 Cole Forbes

Reserves: 16 Taine Kolose, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Filipe Vakasiuola,19 Aisake Vakasiuola, 20 Semisi Paea, 21 Taine Craig-Ranga, 22 Reon Paul, 23 Cody Vai

Wellington will probably play amazing now the Shield isn't on the line...

@canefan said in Wellington v BOP:

Wellington will probably play amazing now the Shield isn't on the line...

How does JGB keep his spot? Bloody joke.

It's crazy ain't it?

I can understand if Harkin had played poorly, but he's been excellent in his outings. A few jitters initially which is understandable in your debut season but from there he's been great. Really hard to understand.

The Lions & the Canes seem to have this same problem where they'll continue to pick complete journeyman players for year on year, even if a young guy is banging the door down. Same situation with Prinsep and Blackwell.

@Canes4life Bit of an Old Boys Club I feel.

@mikey07 said in Wellington v BOP:

@Canes4life Bit of an Old Boys Club I feel.

The exact thing that has hamstrung us for so many years.

Strong start by BOP with three attacking raids so far. Still 0-0 after Higgins makes a crucial turnover.

Higgins goes through and scores the first.

Parson’s calling him a superstar in the making.

You’d love that @Bones

Apparently a bug going through the Lions so Delany has gone off.

Score update: Welly 7 - BOP 8

Nice mauling try there. Probably for the best with JGB at first receiver... A lot of forward runners catching the ball flat footed before trying to push forward. Just like the ABs...

Wellington in through Apisai and take the lead again.

Shields apparently into lock. Ropeti comes on at blindside.

Jeez that’s a shocking call from the ref there. Avei-Collins hard done by.

Kurt Eklund having a superb game. A few important turnovers so far.

If BOP stop dropping the ball they might be able to beat Wellington, assuming they don't raise their game. Lions need to get their hands on some attacking ball

Gritty first half by Wellington, aided by some pretty abject handling from BOP

A few players have gone off. Hopefully Preston and Harkin come on soon.

HT Welly 12 - BOP 8

@Canes4life said in Wellington v BOP:

A few players have gone off. Hopefully Preston and Harkin come on soon.

HT Welly 12 - BOP 8

Sickness in the squad during the week apparently

First time Savea’s name has been mentioned. He’s a bit of a waste of space.

Classic Umaga-Jensen not passing it, should have been a try there.

Higgins with a lovely offload to Savea and he dots down. Beautiful.

Patafilo looks to be injured now. Welly players dropping like flies.

Surely a forward pass by JGB

Wellington trying hard to lose the game

hot take: I don't love sudden death. Draws are draws! Live with it (except in knockouts)

Wellington really screwed this up and could have easily lost in regulation

@canefan said in Wellington v BOP:

Wellington really screwed this up and could have easily lost in regulation

great result in OT

What a try to win the game. Higgins almost overcooked the in field kick, great chase by the reserve HB

Fantastic by Riley Higgins to even get in that position. Well bloody played.

Bugger. We came back well but a great try to win it. Pretty poor game for a neutral for most of it but we lost it in the first half with all that domination and no points. Really missed Narawa in the back line but Reon Paul is a real talent

Commiserations to BOP. I'm glad that Wellington won, but performance-wise BOP were the better side.

@sparky said in Wellington v BOP:

Commiserations to BOP. I'm glad that Wellington won, but performance-wise BOP were the better side.

Wellington did well to dig through that with all the injuries in the first half and then Patafilo in the second.

@KiwiPie spot on. So many chances in the first half. BoP should had a decent lead at half time. Wouldn't mind seeing Paul starting at 12. Halaholo has dropped away from where he was at the start of the season