@gt12 said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

That Cantab team looks very strong.
Not sure why they have Grace at 8, I'd switch them around and have Harmon at 8.
Bay at home. Hmmm.

Does it look strong? That tight five looks fairly weak to me. Brewis (meh), McAlister (meh), Moody (out of posititon and passed it), Cahill (meh). Certainly not as strong without their ABs in the tight-five.

Loosies and backline solid though.

Canterbury by 10

@Duluth said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

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1 Aidan Ross, 2 Kurt Eklund (c), 3 Benet Kumeroa, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5 Aisake Vakasiuola, 6 Jacob Norris, 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Nikora Broughton, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10 Kaleb Trask, 11 Reon Paul, 12 Willis Halaholo, 13 Emoni Narawa, 14 Leroy Carter, 15 Cole Forbes

Reserves: 16 Taine Kolose, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Filipe Vakasiuola, 19 Kalin Felise, 20 Semisi Paea, 21 Lucas Cashmore, 22 Fehi Fineanganofo, 23 Cody Vai

Justin Sangster is a huge loss for BOP.

That BOP backline is certainly one of the strongest in the comp but that pack looks lightweight and average, can't see them winning this one.

@darylmitchell said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

That BOP backline is certainly one of the strongest in the comp but that pack looks lightweight and average, can't see them winning this one.

I can't see it either but I'll go along as it is our first ever home semi-final. And stranger things have happened.

@KiwiPie said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

@darylmitchell said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

That BOP backline is certainly one of the strongest in the comp but that pack looks lightweight and average, can't see them winning this one.

I can't see it either but I'll go along as it is our first ever home semi-final. And stranger things have happened.

Betting market has BOP as favourites

The Narawa and Carter x factor...

@Duluth said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

@KiwiPie said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

@darylmitchell said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

That BOP backline is certainly one of the strongest in the comp but that pack looks lightweight and average, can't see them winning this one.

I can't see it either but I'll go along as it is our first ever home semi-final. And stranger things have happened.

Betting market has BOP as favorites

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Just looking at each teams last game and then losing Sangster up front on top of that 1.97 for Canterbury seems very generous.

GO THE BAY!!!

Now for Clayton or Surf Features to call up some last minute Cantabs into the AB's/AB's XV.

@Donsteppa Grace starting to justify being named in the AB XV squad post-match.

@Bovidae said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

@Donsteppa Grace starting to justify being named in the AB XV squad post-match.

Razor conveniently said they’ll announce another loosie in 1-2 weeks so he’s definitely waiting to see how far the Cantabs go in the comp.

Would have hoped decision is simply between Haig and Lio Willie to join AB's. Iose and McWhannell dead unlucky to miss AB XV so would have thought they more likely than Grace. On the other hand Corey Kellow...

@bayimports said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

@Duluth said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

@KiwiPie said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

@darylmitchell said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

That BOP backline is certainly one of the strongest in the comp but that pack looks lightweight and average, can't see them winning this one.

I can't see it either but I'll go along as it is our first ever home semi-final. And stranger things have happened.

Betting market has BOP as favorites

View image

Just looking at each teams last game and then losing Sangster up front on top of that 1.97 for Canterbury seems very generous.

$25 for a ticket and put $25 on Canterbury to win - it's worth $50 to see us reach our first ever NPC final or it's a free ticket to a semi-final.

Kicking off now

Bad luck Ah Kuoi - good counter ruck but picked it up.

O’Keefe making plenty of questionable calls already, certainly more than you would expect from a ref of his experience…

Canterbury defence is suffocating

Loads of ball for Bop and some cynical ruck play by Cantabs.. must be close to a card

Bop gets a the first try from a 5m maul

Absolute retard TJ has called Canterbury the Crusaders.

Bit of luck for the homeside looked like Paul had knocked the ball into the Canterbury player on the left side and Ennor looked like he was played in the air but I guess you ride your luck

Canterbury got away with hanging onto the ball in the ruck a couple of times in the lead up to that try.

TTT is a tough watch isn’t he. Hard to believe the AB’s had him pegged to be the next Aaron Smith esque player. Surprised he hasn’t chosen to go off shore.

Hutchinson physically looks similar to young Halfpenny

Chip kicks when under advantage are one of my biggest bug bears in rugby
Why not just back yourself with a free roll of the dice and you may just pull multiple penalty advantage's
How often does cross actually come off percentages wise ?

Moody plays like an old man.

Best 40 min I have seen from Grace for a long time.
McAlister very strong up front,

Halaholo runs over Hutchinson easily

15-13 Bop after 44mins

I've only just realised Fihaki is playing.

How did the AR and Okeefe miss that forward pass? It was obvious in real time

Oh no wait, according to TJ it's Punivai.

Cracking try!

Absolutely beautiful try that. Big missed tackle by Fihaki there

@Bones said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

I've only just realised Fihaki is playing.

There he is. He’s the one that missed Carter

I just saw Fihaki again. Every post a winner. Get him in black.

@Landers92 said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

Absolutely beautiful try that. Big missed tackle by Fihaki there

McLeod looked utterly useless there too.

@Duluth said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

@Bones said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

I've only just realised Fihaki is playing.

There he is. He’s the one that missed Carter

Stevenson can't defend though.

Fihaki confirming his AB XV selection.

Fihaki 2 tackles 3 misses. He has made 3m though

@Duluth said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

Fihaki 2 tackles 3 misses. He has made 3m though

Doing the good work both sides of the ball!

Looks like Canterbury have broken Poihipi too. Get him back to Hamilton.

For all the talk about Hoskins not being up to speed we are seeing the likes Fihaki who should’nt be anywhere near the ABs being selected
Beggars belief