Plummer makes a big difference but the biggest problem this year has been halfback. KHP is painfully slow at making a decision
Tasman
Match thread
Auckland (RS)
@KiwiMurph said in Ta$man v Auckland (RS):
Whoever wins will have to defend the Shield on Sunday
Auckland v BOP
or
Ta$man v Taranaki
Tough at the end of storm week
Ryan Coxon
Quentin Macdonald
Sam Matenga
Te Ahiwaru Cirikadaveta
Antonio Shalfoon
Tim Sail
Sione Havili Talitui
Fletcher Anderson
Finlay Christie
Willi Havili
Kyran Taumoefolau
Will Butler
Timoci Tavatavanawai
Jack Gray
Macca Springer
Samuela Moli
Monu Moli
Sione Mafi
Jonny Lee
Braden Stewart
Noah Hotham
Campbell Parata
Nic Sauira
Hmmm - we've been given Noah Hotham for this one, which is sort of handy - but, I'd rather have had one of our other All Blacks. With Finlay Christie and Louie Chapman, we already have a very strong pair of halfbacks at NPC level.
Quinten Strange is out for the season - so we've really only got Shalfoon as a proper lock. Cirikadaveta is a very short lock and we've got two loose forwards on the bench. Not sure why they haven't picked Hunter Leppien for this game, but the lineout will be a real worry. Would have been nice to get Max Hicks back (or Ethan Blackadder - or both), since he'd have helped solve this problem.
Kershawl Sykes Martin still injured and Isaac Salmon either injured or not selected.
In the backs - Big Levi is missing, which is a huge loss. Timoci moves into centre and Jack Gray to the wing. Dave Havili could have alleviated this problem.
Going to be a wet night - which I doubt helps us.
@Duluth said in Ta$man v Auckland (RS):
@KiwiMurph said in Ta$man v Auckland (RS):
Whoever wins will have to defend the Shield on Sunday
Auckland v BOP
or
Ta$man v TaranakiTough at the end of storm week
Ranfurly Shield game at Auckland Grammar?
@Chris-B said in Ta$man v Auckland (RS):
In the backs - Big Levi is missing, which is a huge loss.
Not injured, partner expecting.
@Chris-B my mate whipped past the TAB at lunchtime. I don't think we'll win, but I doubt we are $4 outsiders.
Time for loss insurance @Chris-B
As someone who hopes Auckland wins by a lot but is so bruised that they have to start their B team come end of the week, Im all in on those 4's
@Chris-B said in Ta$man v Auckland (RS):
@nzzp Yeah - those are stupid odds.
Auckland has five good Super players in their pack and we have one.
great chance for Plummer to show what he's got
@nzzp said in Ta$man v Auckland (RS):
I don't think we'll win, but I doubt we are $4 outsiders.
Yeah Ta$man comfortable favourites but not as much as those odds suggest
Individually there's plenty of guys playing well, the team hasn't functioned though
Thinking about the main issues this year:
- Huge team error rate. That was more of a problem in the first 4 weeks. It seems better recently
- Problems at 10. Harford was poor, the old Aussie even worse, Simpson has shown promise. We have Plummer back for this one
- Injuries at prop. The scrum has been uneven because of multiple prop injuries
- Drifting out of games. Looking comfy and then trying low percentage plays etc. Surely the shield keeps them focused. Plummer might help here too.
- Halfback. This is the biggest issue. We don't have a replacement for Funaki.
Weather might assist Auckland? The connection between forwards and backs has been poor. Simplifying the game plan might be a good thing
@nzzp said in Ta$man v Auckland (RS):
@Chris-B said in Ta$man v Auckland (RS):
@nzzp Yeah - those are stupid odds.
Auckland has five good Super players in their pack and we have one.
great chance for Plummer to show what he's got
Worst night ever for Plummer to show what he's got! 
@Duluth said in Ta$man v Auckland (RS):
Weather might assist Auckland? The connection between forwards and backs has been poor. Simplifying the game plan might be a good thing
Plan: get out and smash people. Loosies to wreck the Ta$man rucks, secure ours and carry hard. Just keep smashing it up front.
Don't do stupid shit. Just get stuck in. Wash, rinse, repeat. Low error rate, good goal kicking, don't overplay your hand.
What we'll get:
miracle balls!
The shimmy into contact before being turned over
glory plays
X factor brilliance to pass the ball to the opposition
... 
Updated Auckland side
1 Josh Fusitua, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 3 Angus Taavao, 4 Josh Beehre, 5 Tuaina Tualima, 6 Adrian Choat, 7 Anton Segner, 8 Akira Ioane, 9 Kemara Hauiti Parapara, 10 Harry Plummer, 11 Xavier Tito Harris, 12 AJ Lam, 13 Xavi Taele, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 15 Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Tito Tuipulotu, 18 Sione Ahio, 19 Michael Curry, 20 Che Clark, 21 Sam Howling, 22 Rico Simpson, 23 Tanielu Telea
@Duluth said in Ta$man v Auckland (RS):
Shame he’s not as good as Fihaki haha
about to say that! Short kicking game, etc ... 
@Duluth said in Ta$man v Auckland (RS):
Plummer a little untidy there
Zarn has a slow windup. Why he's not a 10.
@nzzp said in Ta$man v Auckland (RS):
jesus, Zarn off. In with the shoulder apparnetly.
ooof just saw the replay. Ta$man player on the Auckland side ... I get it, I don't lov it
Auckland doing well getting back on their feet.
We're going to lose, but we should make a game of htis
Into the sheds.
It's not actually raining that hard, but it's been drizzling all day - and there's a decent breeze blowing that will help us in the second half - when we're playing towards our favoured Post Office end.
Think we looked the better team in that half. Poor effort from QuinMac on Zarn probably kept the Auks closer than they should be.
Willi's cross kick for Taumoefolau wasn't a good option either.
Lineout surviving well and scrum going OK.
Fin Christie having a whale of a game so far.