V Manawatu

That's a hell of a Manawatu team when you can leave Callum Gibbons and Otere Black on the bench..!

<p>Quite predictable lineup for us apart from no Dan Pryor and Jack Ram being on the bench.</p>
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<p>Dan Pryor not playing is a big loss. Seems a strange decision to leave Ram on the bench for Faleafa - guessing that's largely to do with the new breakdown rules too. I just hope he is a much better player than his brother was for us!</p>
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<p>Other interesting selection is no first-five cover on the bench. I thought Breen had a niggling injury recently?</p>
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<p>I'm looking forward to this one, I only got to see one game last year (thankfully)</p>

Yes no obvious 1st five reserve but they must have a plan....<br><br>
Always hopeful but very nervous.

<p>weather very settled here, and like most of the week, be a cool still evening I expect!</p>
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<p>Perfect conditions!</p>

Solid start but couldn't covert to points.<br><br>
Our defense looks leaky, and we concede a try after what looked like obstruction to me.

Won't be long before we concede a yc if we're not careful. We're giving away a lot of stupid penalties.

Oh great, our scrum gets blown to smithereens, ends up in their 8s hands, Nock has him by the arm, then lets him go and he strolls in under the posts.

Looks like we may be in, going upstairs.<br><br>
C'mon Hammer, give it!!!

Uh oh, knock on by Turbos, our scrum..... 😞

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="606758" data-time="1471594280"><p>
Uh oh, knock on by Turbos, our scrum..... 😞</p></blockquote>WOW, we held our own and have gone the length foe a possible try.<br><br>
Alaimalo shows great pace and vision there.<br>
Exciting stuff.<br><br>
It's given, what a try!

Yeeeessssss!!!!!<br><br>
In again!!!!!<br><br>
WTF, the switch has been flicked and we've started playing.<br><br>
From down 0-17, we're now up 19-17 with the half approaching.

Pryor has been struggling with the new laws but showing class with the ball in hand

Fuck we're being cut open a lot in the midfield.

Well that was a half of two halves.<br><br>
Our defense is really worrying me, we're conceding a lot of clean line breaks in the 10-13 channels.<br><br>
But sheesh out attack came to life in that second quarter, great to watch. More of that please!

I said to Duluth in a PM that I rarely watch NPC but glad I turned this game on. Great first half

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Duluth" data-cid="606763" data-time="1471594817"><p>
Pryor has been struggling with the new laws but showing class with the ball in hand</p></blockquote>Yes he's given away 3 or 4 penalties at the ruck. He's giving it the confused look and the ref almost seems to be feeling sorry for him and letting him off lightly.

Defensive line is all over the show but we have some game at least. The points have given us confidence, so we need to start well in second half.<br><br>
Scrum seems capable and even dominant sometimes but have been scrubs where we have not been in the contest.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kev" data-cid="606771" data-time="1471595410"><p>
Defensive line is all over the show but we have some game at least. The points have given us confidence, so we need to start well in second half.<br><br>
Scrum seems capable and even dominant sometimes but have been scrubs where we have not been in the contest.</p></blockquote>If by start well you mean give away a dumb penalty, then they've listened to you very carefully Kev.

So the touchy reports foul play, but because there are no good camera angles, she's play on? <br>
Surely the ref has to back his touchies call there?

Some greedy play there cost us a try, a couple of players in that movement had opportunities to pass to an unmarked man but didn't.<br><br>
Olsen held up over the line at the end of it.