Match thread

Canes4life

@bayimports said in NPC Final: Wellington vs Bay of Plenty:

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Would be good for them to state how many mins played for each player when showcasing these match-ups. I think Broughton has played quite a few more games than Shields this year, likewise with Higgins who I'd say has taken the field a fair few more times more than Halaholo but could be wrong.

Donsteppa

TAB odds feel about right. And also good because we're not that far out either.

Has anyone noticed the game has been pushed back to 3:05pm?

Canes4life

@barky1 wasn't it always 3.05pm? I think 2.30pm is build up on Sky.

Pretty sure it was advertised at 2:05 up until a day or two ago

ARHS

@Canes4life said in NPC Final: Wellington vs Bay of Plenty:

@bayimports said in NPC Final: Wellington vs Bay of Plenty:

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Would be good for them to state how many mins played for each player when showcasing these match-ups. I think Broughton has played quite a few more games than Shields this year, likewise with Higgins who I'd say has taken the field a fair few more times more than Halaholo but could be wrong.

Willis has played every game despite Reon Paul playing better. Only came right last couple of matches. Higgins has not played all matches.

@barky1 No it’s a cost thing we’re going to the Auckland FC game he’s been to the BOP round robin game. With the cost involved with transport food etc just can’t afford to go to 3 games this year.

Canes4life

@ARHS said in NPC Final: Wellington vs Bay of Plenty:

@Canes4life said in NPC Final: Wellington vs Bay of Plenty:

@bayimports said in NPC Final: Wellington vs Bay of Plenty:

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Would be good for them to state how many mins played for each player when showcasing these match-ups. I think Broughton has played quite a few more games than Shields this year, likewise with Higgins who I'd say has taken the field a fair few more times more than Halaholo but could be wrong.

Willis has played every game despite Reon Paul playing better. Only came right last couple of matches. Higgins has not played all matches.

That makes his stats even more impressive then.

Canes4life

@barky1 it was mentioned 3.05pm kick-off on the Breakdown on Sunday.

Bovidae

A BOP win will give the Chiefs region the full set of provincial trophies:
Ranfurly Shield
Meads Cup
Lochore Cup
FPC

Canes4life

@barky1 said in NPC Final: Wellington vs Bay of Plenty:

@Canes4life
Must be going senile

To be fair, it is a weird time and I can't recall a game starting at 3.05pm before. 2 or 2.30pm is what we are used to for afternoon footy so I bet it will be confusing for a lot of people. Let's hope the rain stays away.

Bovidae

Sky are wanting the NPC final to lead into the AB-Japan test coverage.

Canes4life

Wellington team for the final. Not sure who the reserve hooker is.

Is it Hika Elliot I wonder?

@foobaNZ wow unreal if it is. Saw he was named in Heartland XV so must be keeping fit somewhere

Canes4life

Confirmed, it is Hikawera Elliot.

@Canes4life Very surprised the Lions did’nt look at Wairarapa Bush hooker Bruce Kauika Peterson who has been a stand out in heartland rugby this year
also lets not forget hes played 2 season with Northland and has a handful of games for Wellington
Its a great storyline for Hika Elliot but i personally think it would have been an even better storyline for a heartland team thats part of the Canes franchise.

Bovidae

Was Hika playing hooker at SC? I read he sometimes played flanker. He looked in good condition when I saw him running the line for the Chiefs U18s.

Duluth

Or if the NPC was a rep competition they could pick the next best hooker out of Wellington club rugby

Canes4life

@Duluth said in NPC Final: Wellington vs Bay of Plenty:

Or if the NPC was a rep competition they could pick the next best hooker out of Wellington club rugby

Pretty sure most of them are unavilable. O'Reilly, Poasa, Aumua (with ABs), Press, Tuiloma and Gaulalofa are all injured.

Bovidae

It's not that simple if the club players haven't been playing for 2 months. TTT ended up on the bench for Waikato in the 2021 NPC final for the same reason.

mariner4life

yet another piece of evidence to show how our structure makes no sense

Number 10

Wellington did something similar for their semi-final v HB last year when they brought in Morgan Mitchell on loan from Southland.

sparky

I always liked Hika Elliot and thought that he was another one who was treated rottenly by the All Blacks. Anyway, welcome to the Lions!

ACT Crusader

@sparky said in NPC Final: Wellington vs Bay of Plenty:

I always liked Hika Elliot and thought that he was another one who was treated rottenly by the All Blacks. Anyway, welcome to the Lions!

Why, because Mealamu and Hore were better players than him? And Henry and co thought Flynn was a better thrower?

On par with AdM and both got about the same opportunity given who were ahead of them.

Donsteppa

Still feels wonderfully unreal. We're in the Final.

Not the Championship Final
Not the Division 2 Final
Not the Promotion-Relegation Final.

The Final.

Stoked!!!

sparky

@Donsteppa Enjoy!

But, hopefully, not the result.

@Donsteppa bathe in it. We're on the plane mid morning

Canes4life

A grey day here today but no rain yet. It’s meant to hit around the afternoon so here’s hoping it comes in after the final whistle.

@Canes4life who do you think will adapt better to the conditions if the bad weather rolls in ?

Canes4life

@Steven-Harris said in NPC Final: Wellington vs Bay of Plenty:

@Canes4life who do you think will adapt better to the conditions if the bad weather rolls in ?

I think Sangster is a huge loss for BOP, but they still have a tough pack. Both starting sides look very good but I think overall Wellington might have the edge in these wet conditions. The loose forward trio of Delany, Kirifi and Shields will be key IMO.

In saying that Wellington’s bench looks pretty weak because of all the injuries in the forwards so if Wellington sustain injuries early then it could be adv BOP. Intriguing match for sure.