Battle of the Bays: Steamers v Magpies

Stargazer

Hawke's Bay

1 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Ash Dixon, 3. Ben May, 4. Michael Allardice, 5. Tom Parsons, 6. Geoff Cridge, 7. Brendon O'Connor, 8. Gareth Evans, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Lincoln McClutchie, 11. Mason Emerson, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Neria Fomai, 15. Caleb Makene

Reserves:
16 Kianu Kereru-Symes, 17 Jason Long, 18 Joel Hintz, 19 Devan Flanders, 20 Josh Kaifa, 21 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 22 Zach Donaldson, 23 Ollie Sapsford

Number 10

Three loose forwards on the bench. Attack!

Bay of Plenty: 1: Aidan Ross 2: Nathan Vella 3: Jeff Thwaites 4: Baden Wardlaw 5: Alex Ainley 6: Tom Franklin 7: Mitchell Karpik 8: Hoani Matenga 9: Richard Judd 10: Kaleb Trask 11: Joseva Ravouvou 12: Chase Tiatia 13: Mathew Skipwith-Garland 14: Emoni Narawa 15: Pryor Collier
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Tevita Mafileo, Ross Geldenhuts, Aaron Carroll, Hugh Blake, Leroy Carter, Jason Robertson, Dennon Robinson-Bartlett

Hooroo

@Snollygoster said in Battle of the Bays: Bay of Plenty v Hawke's Bay:

Bay of Plenty: 1: Aidan Ross 2: Nathan Vella 3: Jeff Thwaites 4: Baden Wardlaw 5: Alex Ainley 6: Tom Franklin 7: Mitchell Karpik 8: Hoani Matenga 9: Richard Judd 10: Kaleb Trask 11: Joseva Ravouvou 12: Chase Tiatia 13: Mathew Skipwith-Garland 14: Emoni Narawa 15: Pryor Collier
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Tevita Mafileo, Ross Geldenhuts, Aaron Carroll, Hugh Blake, Leroy Carter, Jason Robertson, Dennon Robinson-Bartlett

Has Hoani played 8 before for BoP?

Stockcar86

@Stargazer said in Battle of the Bays: Bay of Plenty v Hawke's Bay:

Hawke's Bay

1 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Ash Dixon, 3. Ben May, 4. Michael Allardice, 5. Tom Parsons, 6. Geoff Cridge, 7. Brendon O'Connor, 8. Gareth Evans, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Lincoln McClutchie, 11. Mason Emerson, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Neria Fomai, 15. Caleb Makene

Reserves:
16 Kianu Kereru-Symes, 17 Jason Long, 18 Joel Hintz, 19 Devan Flanders, 20 Josh Kaifa, 21 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 22 Zach Donaldson, 23 Ollie Sapsford

Not trying to curse us, but the Magpies have been pretty lucky with injuries this year, and can still put out a great 15 with a strong bench. Apart from Falcon (injured before season) is McNicol the only possible top 23 player currently injured during the season?

@Hooroo Yes, He usually plays there. It seems that injuries are beginning to bite though with a few different selections. Mua left the field injured last week so I assume isn't right yet. Tom Franklin usually plays lock but did play at 6 a bit for us a couple of years back. Pryor Collier has hardly played for the Steamers (if at all) this year so I assume Forbes is out. Dennon Robinson-Bartlett, who is in the reserves, has come in from the Development team for his first game.

It will be interesting to see what tactics are used by both teams. Hawkes *** are pretty adept at the rolling mauls and Bay of Plenty are getting good at clearing the ball quickly to our outside backs.

I can't wait.

Stargazer

@Stockcar86 Jonah Lowe would be in the top 23 as well.

Stockcar86

Of course. My bad 😊

No way should I have forgotten him with his performance in last years match

Stargazer

Former Hastings Boys 1stXV national champions in this game:

Folau Fakatava, Lincoln McClutchie, Danny Toala, Kianu Kereru-Symes and Devan Flanders for the Real Bay, and Dennon Robinson-Bartlett for Bay of Plenty.

Higgins

What a magnificent sight seeing my team walking down the stairs amongst the crowd to take the field for this game. Something essentially old fashiond almost cricket like in a way. Anyway battle commences.

Nepia

@Higgins said in Battle of the Bays: Bay of Plenty v Hawke's Bay:

What a magnificent sight seeing my team walking down the staris am,ongst the crowd to take the field for this game. Something essentrially old fashiond almost cricket like in a way. Anyway battle commences.

I saw it as a sneaky plan by Of Plenty to try and make some our players trip before making the field.

Nepia

Early try to Of Plenty after a lot of ball in the 22.

Stargazer

Does anyone know why Ash Dixon isn't starting?

Edit: and who is our hooker on the bench?

Higgins

Goodness, this is a very Philpottesque start as the score balloons out to 14 nil.

Canes4life

Chase Tiatia is ripping Hawkes Bay a new one. Sheesh HB look piss poor on defence.

Higgins

If anyone interested in a fultter the NZ TAB currently offering $8.00 for a HB win.

Nepia

I'm going to start ragging on the sub standard facilities to cover my anger at the start.

How can an NPC ground have players walk down from the grandstand and the coaches box is a trestle table? 🙂

Higgins

@Nepia And probably no big screen for replays either. Having said that the ball did look held up about a couple of millimeters abouve the ground.