Match thread

Crucial

Waitomo Chiefs Manawa:

  1. Kate Henwood*
  2. Luka Connor
  3. Tanya Kalounivale
  4. Kelsie Thwaites
  5. Chelsea Bremner*
  6. Charmaine Smith*
  7. Tynealle Fitzgerald
  8. Kennedy Simon ©
  9. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu
  10. Hazel Tubic
  11. Georgia Daals
  12. Azalleyah Maaka*
  13. Carla Hohepa
  14. Mererangi Paul*
  15. Tenika Willison*

Reserves:
16. Grace Houpapa-Barrett
17. Te Urupounamu McGarvey*
18. Santo Taumata
19. Dhys Faleafaga*
20. Victoria Makea
21. Violet Hapi-Wise*
22. Abigail Roache*
23. Apii Nicholls*

Bovidae

So they've moved Simon to no.8, and Fitzgerald has come in at openside, from the team that played in Pukekohe.

Crucial

@Bovidae said in Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua:

So they've moved Simon to no.8, and Fitzgerald has come in at openside, from the team that played in Pukekohe.

I was looking at the warm up side and possible changes earlier. That was something I thought may happen.
Stayed with a strong lineout which makes sense given Tubic's boot.

Still no sign of Mulu or Tangen-Wainohu but the 6 front rowers are all good.

Chyna Hohepa, Te Iringa, Rasch, Watherston the other unused squad members.

Crucial

Cool way to do a team announcement

Bovidae

@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. 😉

Crucial

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.

Stargazer

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

@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.

Crucial

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

Bovidae

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

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Yeetyaah

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

Yeetyaah

Holy shit Ngan-Woo is an incredible runner

Stargazer

Luka Connor is another player with a strong game.

Good game to watch thus far.

Bovidae

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.

Crucial

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

Stargazer

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.

Stargazer

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

Winger

46-21 Chiefs

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