Had a chat with Andrew Strawbridge about the up-coming game this weekend. Teams will be out tomorrow.

Waikato take on Counties Manukau at Navigation Homes Stadium on Saturday night, kick-off is at 7.35pm:

1. Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (Fraser Tech)

3. Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

4. Tim Bond (Morrinsville Sports)

5. James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

6. Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

7. Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu)

8. Luke Jacobson (Hautapu)

9. Jack Stratton (Hautapu)

10. Fletcher Smith (University)

11. Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

12. Dwayne Sweeney (Morrinsville Sports) - Captain

13. Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

14. Declan O’Donnell (Melville)

15. Rivez Reihana (Melville)

16. Sekope Lopeti-Moli (Hautapu)

17. Haereiti Hetet (Otorohanga)

18. Josh Iosefa-Scott (Melville)

19. Antonio Shalfoon (Te Awamutu Sports)

20. Murray Iti (Otorohanga)

21. Raniera Takarangi (Hamilton Old Boys)

22. Louis Rogers (University)

23. Newton Trudreu (Hamilton Marist)

Unavailable for selection

Solomon Alaimalo, Jahrome Brown, Tyler Campbell, Ayden Johnstone, Matty Lansdown, Anton Lienert-Brown, Damian McKenzie, Laghlan McWhannell, Sevu Reece, Taleni Seu, Toby Smith

Does Luke Jacobson starting at 8 pretty much rule him out of being a RWC bolter for the 6 position?

Also, in the article it says that Johnstone has been ruled out for a few weeks with a hand injury.

@Yeetyaah I don't think he was going anyway, has done great to get above Frizell and Papali'i in the pecking order

@DrivingMaul @Yeetyaah
Jacobson is still a chance if Squire doesn't make a phone call. I'd be interested to know if the decision to play him at no.8 was a directive from above.

@Yeetyaah said in Counties Manukau v Waikato:

Also, in the article it says that Johnstone has been ruled out for a few weeks with a hand injury.

Out for the season I was told today. Toby Smith should be back to cover the loss.

@Bovidae Ah ratshit. Been pretty average recently but sad to see the young guy out for the season.

Quinn Tupaea won't be playing and is replaced by Louis Rogers.

@Bovidae Injured?

@Stargazer A minor injury. He said he would be back next game.

21-7 to Waikato at HT.

The breakdown is a mess and the offside line is non-existent.

@Bovidae said in Counties Manukau v Waikato:

@Stargazer A minor injury. He said he would be back next game.

21-7 to Waikato at HT.

The breakdown is a mess and the offside line is non-existent.

kind of weird - the ref's going OK, but I think missed a big knock on for the second (?) Waikato try, and then let people swim up the side of the ruck for the third. Evenly matched generally... would be stoked to see CM win this one

@nzzp The C-M player was offside at a ruck right on the goal line when he tackled Stratton so swings and roundabouts.

Luke Jacobson is playing well too.

Phew. Waikato hold on 31-26.

Plenty of close finishes this round.

Waikato is missing McWhannell in the lineout as not much height there.

Luke Jacobson superb. Turning point in the game was when he went off.

My post match interviews from the game: