@Crucial Yeah, the lineout options are much better than last year. Three specialist locks (all current or former BFs) compared to a much-shorter and makeshift locking duo in 2022. Still need to throw straight.

If work doesn't get in the way I am going down to the final training runs (I think both teams) this afternoon for a look.

Hurricanes Poua team to take on Chiefs Manawa:

1 Krystal Murray *
2 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate
3 Cristo Tofa *
4 Joanah Ngan-Woo
5 Jackie Patea-Fereti (C)
6 Kahurangi Sturmey
7 Rhiarna Ferris
8 Layla Sae
9 Iritana Hohaia
10 Carys Dallinger
11 Ayesha Leti-I'iga
12 Monica Tagoai
13 Shakira Baker *
14 Bernadette Robertson *
15 Isabella Waterman *

Reserves
16 Saphire Abraham *
17 Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono *
18 Sosoli Talawadua *
19 Rachael Rakatau
20 Kaipo Olsen-Baker
21 Milly Mackey *
22 Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali *
23 Crystal Mayes

*Denotes debut

@Stargazer Not surprised that Teilah Ferguson isn't in the 23. I saw her - on her instagram - shoveling the mud off the floor of her parents' house, one or two days ago. I think that's why in SRP some Hawke's Bay players are missing from squads, too.

Olsen-Baker and Mayes on the bench surprises me. Mind you we have no idea what is happening due to limited training etc.

A change to the Chiefs Manawa team - no Taumata on the bench.

Been 1 min and Ken Laban hasn't mentioned Wainuiomata yet

Holy shit Ngan-Woo is an incredible runner

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua:

Holy shit Ngan-Woo is an incredible runner

She's been awesome in the first 15 minutes.

The Poua are looking very strong.

Luka Connor is another player with a strong game.

Good game to watch thus far.

Kalounivale is showing why she is the best scrummaging TH in NZ, and so hard to stop with the ball in hand.

If the Chiefs can play at the right end of the field their forwards will keep scoring tries.

Manawa simply demolishing the Poua scrum every time.
Poua look well connected moving forward.
Very greasy conditions

HT: Hurricanes Poua 21 - 22 Chiefs Manawa

That was a half of two quarters! The Poua dominated the first 20; Chiefs Manawa the second 20.

The commentators are right that the difference is that the Poua are best in open play, while Manawa are stronger at set piece. If it goes to pick 'n go close to the Poua try line, the Manawa seem unstoppable.

The Poua start the second half with a player in the bin.

Commentators saying Smith scored that try, but did she? It looked like Marino-Tauhinu scored that.

46-21 Chiefs

Now 53-21 at 77 minutes. Shame it isn't a bit more even.

@Winger said in Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua:

46-21 Chiefs

Now 53-21 at 77 minutes. Shame it isn't a bit more even.

Down 21-5 at one point. 48 unanswered points

@Winger said in Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua:

46-21 Chiefs

Now 53-21 at 77 minutes. Shame it isn't a bit more even.

Totally down to the scrum. Everything else was even and would have said Poua even better organised in areas. Hard to play on a wet day when your scrum gets pushed off the ball

Props (pun intended) to Henwood, who played the entire game. The Chiefs certainly have some depth at prop when you consider that 3 of their main props were missing.