2014 – ITM CUP - NZ's 3rd Tier Competition

[Hugh Jarse]

It was interesting to see that Ihaia West kicked the ball away in a dribbly little grubber kick in the last play of the game with the scores tied. Luckily for The Bay, the 'Naki turned the pill over almost immediately and the next kick from The Bay was the Dropped Goal after several phases to try to get meat.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

More Australians Involved in ITM Cup

So I'm watching a bit of ITM cup today and Michael Stolberg comes off the bench for his debut for Northland.replacing Tom Murday.

Two Brisbane lads in the one ITM team. 2nd rowers. We should keep an eye on them

The Northland team also featured Sione 'Nons' Kite who played flyhalf at GPS for a number of years recently.

 

[Highlander35]

Is Kimani Sitauti not also continuing to play for one of the sides? Bay of Plenty I think.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Counties-Manukau retain the Ranfurly Shield:

Counties Manukau 29 (Dan Hyatt, Ronald Raaymakers, Jordan Taufua and Michael Stanley tries; Ahsee Tuala 3 con; Tuala pen) Otago 25 (Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli and Fa'a siu Fuatai tries; Hayden Parker 2 con; Parker 2 pen). HT: 14-10

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/10416949/Counties-Manukau-hold-Shield-against-Otago

And in Whangarei, "Wellington's early season woes continued today as they were embarrassed 35-5 by Northland."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/10416863/Northland-embarrass-Wellington-in-NPC-blowout

Sadly my mighty 'nua could only draw 19-19 with Thames Valley in the Heartland Championship.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...arly-thrashings-in-the-Heartland-Championship

 

[Dan54]

Was quite happy with Shield result (Counties were my Dads team), Wellington were rubbish. And I sure the mighty Nua were just being good hosts by not beating up the Swamp Foxes.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Manawatu getting nilled by the Aucks, BOP v Makos next up & should be closer.

Late try to Manawatu, 7-35.

EDIT: @Dan, Swamp Foxes may as well be Aucks therefore need to be flogged at every opportunity.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Is Kimani Sitauti not also continuing to play for one of the sides? Bay of Plenty I think.

I don't think he is there this season. He is definitely not in the squad for today's match against the Tasman Makos.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Makos 56-27 v BOP, plenty of great attack but sfw defence.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/10418489/Makos-thump-BOP-in-Tauranga

ITM CUP - PREMIERSHIP 2014
Pos Team P W D L F A PD B Pts
1. Canterbury 2 2 0 0 106 36 70 2 10
2. Counties M 2. 1. 0. 0. 38 34 4 1 7
3. Tasman 1 1 0 0 35 15 20 1 5
4. Auckland 2 1 0 1 44 55 -11 1 5
5. Waikato 2 1 0 1 64 83 -19 1 5
6. Taranaki 2 0 1 1 35 38 -3 1 3
7. Wellington 2 0 0 2 30 72 -42 0 0

Everything as it should be, Canterbury on top & Wellington the bottom. Division 2 here they come lol.

 

[Shiggins]

The Canterbury Waikato game was amazing. The NZ talent pool is ablaze

 

[Shiggins]

With a kid that made a 60m penalty look easy

 

[qwerty51]

He was kicking 55m penalties as a schoolboy.

 

[Bairdy]

Makos 56-27 v BOP, plenty of great attack but sfw defence.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/10418489/Makos-thump-BOP-in-Tauranga

ITM CUP - PREMIERSHIP 2014
Pos Team P W D L F A PD B Pts
1. Canterbury 2 2 0 0 106 36 70 2 10
2. Counties M 2. 1. 0. 0. 38 34 4 1 7
3. Tasman 1 1 0 0 35 15 20 1 5
4. Auckland 2 1 0 1 44 55 -11 1 5
5. Waikato 2 1 0 1 64 83 -19 1 5
6. Taranaki 2 0 1 1 35 38 -3 1 3
7. Wellington 2 0 0 2 30 72 -42 0 0

Everything as it should be, Canterbury on top & Wellington the bottom. Division 2 here they come lol.

It must hurt (even a little bit) for you to see Wellington on the bottom of the P'ship, surely

 

[Oldschool]

It must hurt (even a little bit) for you to see Wellington on the bottom of the P'ship, surely

Yeah....Nah

 

[Oldschool]

With a kid that made a 60m penalty look easy

Don Clarke like boot, but he'll spin his wheels if he continues to hang out in Blues territory. Best he stays in Waikato and hangs out with Rennie or further south and get some decent game time and tutorlige.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

It must hurt (even a little bit) for you to see Wellington on the bottom of the P'ship, surely

Not really. Long history of player siphoning & generally treating other Unions incl their Hurricanes partners like 2nd class citizens. A year or 2 in the Championship might do them some good.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

"All Blacks released to play in the ITM Cup:
"Charlie Faumuina (Auckland), Charles Piutau (Auckland), Steven Luatua (Auckland), Colin Slade (Canterbury), Joe Moody (Canterbury), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Waikato), TJ Perenara (Wellington), Jeremy Thrush (Wellington), Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay), Nathan Harris (Bay of Plenty)."

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3821_9439621,00.html

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Taranaki 46-17 Waikato. Great game, shame hardly anyone went to see it.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/10432130/Taranaki-roar-in-stunning-record-Waikato-win

 

[Hugh Jarse]

So much for the depth in NZ rugby. It's not just here that Hookers are becoming an endangered species as Team Rehab claims another Hooker.

Gimli is back for the Stags.

Former All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore has had a short lived retirement from top level rugby.
The 83-test All Black is now back in camp with the Southland Stags as injury cover.
It's understood Hore was contacted by former Highlanders teammate Jamie Mackintosh to help out the Stags after the injury to veteran hooker Jason Rutledge.
The Stags have confirmed Hore is training with the team, but will only play a part on the field should the side's two remaining hookers get injured.
Rutledge is expected to be out for the season.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11315365

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Bit of much-appreciated peace & quiet for the local wildlife community...

 

[mxyzptlk]

Gimli is back for the Stags.

I always thought John Afoa could play a dwarf.