Malakai Hala-Ngatai looks to be in great shape. He's shed quite a few kg's, I'd think, but he's holding his own so far against Sione Mafileo in the scrum so it doesn't seem to have impacted his ability at set-piece too much. He seems like a player who's actually benefitted from regular game time in the MLR.

Also, it's weirding me out how Parsons is continuously referring to Jed Melvin as the veteran. The guy is 24 years old and has played 29 games for Harbour. Even for NPC standards, that's not that experienced.

3mins 30 secs of TMO

@Duluth said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

3mins 30 secs of TMO

And the wrong decision. Are the cameras not good enough for NPC games?

And now it got interrupted by a technical glitch. Switched over to the Wahs game anyway

Back now

@Bovidae said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

Are the cameras not good enough for NPC games?

I don't think there's a need to question the cameras, that's just terrible refereeing.

"JP needs to pay his power bill" - Jeff Mctainsh

Taramai's back!
First game in 1,449 days

And just like that, we've lost to the Turbos for the first time in 10 years! What an upset!
Last loss was 31-17 on 26 September 2015

Turbos have already won as many games in 2025 as they did in 2024.

Good impact from Sam Coles off the bench.

@Bovidae said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

Good impact from Sam Coles off the bench.

Yeah, nice cameos from Sam Coles and Jai Tamati off the bench, Coles creating a few line breaks and Tamati putting in some nice kicks in behind. If Coles has been able to improve his defence, I’d like to see him start in the 15-jersey.

Impressed by Kyle Brown as well, really slippery player and good decision-making on attack. Young Turbos are looking good.

@Bovidae said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

@Duluth said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

3mins 30 secs of TMO

And the wrong decision. Are the cameras not good enough for NPC games?

Well you only got a couple of cameras, and to be fair the knock on although it looked a knock on, the players seemed to be in the way of everyone. It looked an iffy put down to, but thems the breaks, and pleased the Tu boys didn't drop heads.

Not my favourite stadium for watching rugby, been there a few times, and never really felt comfortable.

@Mauss Brown is a midfielder that wouldn't look out of place in a SR squad.

As I've said before, if Manawatū could retain the majority of their talent from PNBHS and FAHS they would have a strong NPC side.

Laumape started his AB's return campaign on the right note. First touch was a dinky chip to no space just outside his 22 with no advantage. Lovely.

@delicatessen

Sounds like he'll fit right in

@Bovidae A big blow for Manawatu losing Jamie Viljoen the PNBHS 1st 5/8 to Taranaki next year.

I'd say he's the most promising player to come out of Manawatu schoolboy rugby in the last few years.

@delicatessen said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

Laumape started his AB's return campaign on the right note. First touch was a dinky chip to no space just outside his 22 with no advantage. Lovely.

There's that kicking game all his supporters love to talk up.

@MacDazzler said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

@Bovidae A big blow for Manawatu losing Jamie Viljoen the PNBHS 1st 5/8 to Taranaki next year.

I'd say he's the most promising player to come out of Manawatu schoolboy rugby in the last few years.

Hadn't heard about that Mac, as a Naki man, I obviously pleased, but can understand as a Tu man you would be disappointed. They don't want to be losing good young uns'. Is he Jodi's brother?Just out of interest, I liked the look of that kid that came on to replace Viljoen at 9, seems to have a pretty sharp pass etc.

Was happy to see Manawatu had Higgins back on their jerseys. Now it Higgins concrete.

@MacDazzler said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

@Bovidae A big blow for Manawatu losing Jamie Viljoen the PNBHS 1st 5/8 to Taranaki next year.

Yes, I posted that Viljoen had been signed by Taranaki when he appeared in the Chiefs U18 development camp list.

I'd say he's the most promising player to come out of Manawatu schoolboy rugby in the last few years.

Eli Oudenryn, and before him Ruben Love, are a couple of other recent players.

@Dan54 Yes he is Jordi's brother. Disappointed to see Jamie leave but as a Manawatu fan, I'm not surprised he's left for a another province. Similar to when Oudenryn and Love have left in previous seasons.

Very good get for you guys.

@MacDazzler said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

@Dan54 Yes he is Jordi's brother. Disappointed to see Jamie leave but as a Manawatu fan, I'm not surprised he's left for a another province. Similar to when Oudenryn and Love have left in previous seasons.

Very good get for you guys.

Hopefully Jamie is bigger than his brother!

@Mr-Fish said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

@delicatessen said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

Laumape started his AB's return campaign on the right note. First touch was a dinky chip to no space just outside his 22 with no advantage. Lovely.

There's that kicking game all his supporters love to talk up.

I was one of those when he left lol. Certainly was never his main drawcard tho.