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NZ domestic competitions 2018

zer0

zer0

Jim Lenehan (48)
FFS the forwards were shattered. Waited a few phases too long before looking for the drop goal. If he had missed, it's 99% likely we'd have been at OT anyway, so was worth a shot. Will see what happens now.....
 
waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

Stirling Mortlock (74)
After extra time:

Auckland 40 (Tumua Manu, Akira Ioane, Jordan Trainor, Caleb Clarke, Mike Sosene-Feagai, Leon Fukofuka tries; Harry Plummer 5 cons), Canterbury 33 (George Bridge, Tom Sanders tries; penalty try; Brett Cameron 4 pens, 2 cons), after extra time. Ht: 7-20; Ft: 26-26.



https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/p...-grand-final-comeback-victory-over-canterbury

Congrats to DP, Kiwi M, zer0 & any other Auck supporters out there, it's been a while so enjoy.
 
zer0

zer0

Jim Lenehan (48)
It's a result that's all the sweeter after Ian Smith spent the entire first half in masturbatory coma over anything from Canterbury. "They win finals for fun". Suck it Smuffy. Suck it all. Enjoy the taste as that fat blue and white hooped cock slithers down your throat and tickles your red n' black kidneys, and other assorted internal organs.
 
KiwiM

KiwiM

Trevor Allan (34)
waiopehu oldboy said:
Congrats to DP, Kiwi M, zer0 & any other Auck supporters out there, it's been a while so enjoy.
Click to expand...

Cheers!

What an amazing game!

Absolutely stoked with that. One of the best wins for Auckland rugby in a long time.

Luke Whitelock had the better of the first half but Akira had the better of the rest of the game. Akira's ball running ability was a huge factor in Auckland's win.

Auckland's bench + Olmstead, Faiane and Plummer also very good. Both fullbacks played well in the conditions. Nanai went from zero to hero.

20k crowd very good considering the conditions.

Absolutely stoked. Thank you Auckland Rugby Union for giving Auckland rugby its soul back.
 
Dan54

Dan54

Tim Horan (67)
Geez good on ya Auckland supporters, that was a bloody good game by both teams. MOTM for me was almost the Canuck in the 6 jersey for Auckland gave it everything for 100 minutes, hope he gets a super contract!! Faiane goes well at 12, I know it not super level , but never the less he went well all year.
 
Dan54

Dan54

Tim Horan (67)
After having a bit of a look at replay this morning, I have had my thoughts reinforced how lucky we are to have this comp, been bloody good I thought and a final like that just icing on cake. For Auckland, geez I hope they take some learnings from this into Blues next year, as I think with the right players they can go alright.
I also enjoyed seeing the highlights of the Swamp Foxes win in the Meads cup final. Good old heartland rugby with a few real fatties in front row etc!
 
waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Mighty 'nua secure just their second trophy in their 125th year:

Horowhenua-Kapiti 26 (Aaron Lahmert, David McErlean tries; James So'oialo 4 pen, 3 con) Wairarapa Bush 23 (Soli Malatai, Sam Gammie tries; Tipene Haira 2 con, 3 pen).
HT: 16-7.


https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/p...-beat-wairarapa-bush-in-the-lochore-cup-final

Felt sure they'd blown it by trying to shut up shop with five minutes left esp when they got pinged on half way with about two minutes left but a steal in front of the posts after full time got them home.

Big night at Fatboyz Bar tonight (& probably every other pub, club etc from Paremata to Foxton & across to Shannon) :).
 
Dan54

Dan54

Tim Horan (67)
YEHAA! At last some justice! The Mighty Nua have obviously overcome huge obstacles to win this ( I will come up with some bullshit about what they are later), and as WOB says I sure there will be a few ales being tasted in Levin and surrounding area!!
So WOB and I can perhaps join DP,zer0 and KiwiM in celebrating!
 
KiwiM

KiwiM

Trevor Allan (34)
Yes - celebrations all around!

Gee the North Island did well on the finals - of the 3 North-South finals the North won all 3.

On another note - some very interesting comments from AB selector Grant Fox about Akira

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/spor...ll-blacks-selectors-after-snub-grant-fox.html

Fox admits Ioane has proved them wrong in the final weeks of the provincial competition, but the onus remains on the loose forward to continue his form for the Blues.

"He is really sticking it up us a little bit, which is exactly what we wanted," Fox told Sunday Sport on RadioLIVE. "We made our decision around Akira and he has given us a response.


"He has done exactly what we wanted - we wanted him to show us that he is willing to learn and do some things that we think he needs to do to become a test-quality player, and he is making great strides.


"We just need to see that in Super Rugby next year."
Click to expand...
 
zer0

zer0

Jim Lenehan (48)
But he's pretty much just been doing what he's been doing all year? Dominated Super Rugby attacking stats. Dominated NPC attacking stats.
 
Dan54

Dan54

Tim Horan (67)
Yep, but he had been doing maybe a little more work, because most of the year he basically been lazy, I love Foxy saying this (sure he's done it with a nudge from Shag), as if Akira doesn't see now that he thereabouts and what he has to do for MAB and Blues he never will. I would not be at all surprised if he made WC squad next year, if has learnt what he needs to do!
 
KiwiM

KiwiM

Trevor Allan (34)
I think what Akira showed is the ability to really deliver in a final when the chips were down (after dominating in a semi final the week prior).

He smartly quick tapped and scored when Auckland were down 20-7 and were pounding the Canterbury line.

Then down 26-19 he executed at the back of the scrum when Auckland needed it (which lead to Caleb Clarke's try).

He really stood up in a final when his team were down on the scoreboard (and he had a pretty average first half) and nailed his opportunities. That shows the AB selectors something when you think about test matches.
 
Dan54

Dan54

Tim Horan (67)
KiwiM, you boys must be a bit pleased with how promising Plummer looks too, that was one bloody mature performance for a kid at 10 in a final! I am prepared to say there not many 10s of that age anywhere that could of handled that pressure so well, not sure if he signed by blues , but by christ he would be in my squad everyday of the week, and in a year or two looks a good starting 10 at super level!
 
KiwiM

KiwiM

Trevor Allan (34)
Dan54 said:
KiwiM, you boys must be a bit pleased with how promising Plummer looks too, that was one bloody mature performance for a kid at 10 in a final! I am prepared to say there not many 10s of that age anywhere that could of handled that pressure so well, not sure if he signed by blues , but by christ he would be in my squad everyday of the week, and in a year or two looks a good starting 10 at super level!
Click to expand...


Yes I can confirm Plummer is already signed by the Blues. Blues continue to make a lot of average signings but his signing is a very good one. It's worth noting in the last 3 weeks he's outplayed Gatland, Garden-Bachop and Cameron. So yes I am ecstatic about how Plummer has gone in this year's Mitre 10 Cup.

I am also very pleased by how the Auckland coaching staff have handled him. With coach Tai Lavea focusing on kicking across the backline - Plummer hasn't had all the pressure thrust upon him - in fact every single one of the Auckland backline are used as kicking options. But by the same token they've given Plummer the 10 jersey and he's grown every week. Sticking him in between experienced halfback (Ruru/Fukofuka) and 12 (Faiane) is ideal. That's how you develop and learn. I guarantee if under previous Auckland coaches they would have stuck Plummer on the bench behind Kirkpatrick or some other journeyman because "experience" which is complete crap. So pleased they've done it the right way.

He's going to put some serious pressure on both Otere Black and Perofeta at the Blues as early as next year. Which is great.
 
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