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Air New Zealand Cup (NPC) 2008 - Discussion and Prediction League
- Thread starter HeathDavisSpeed
- Start date
Somerset
Cricketer Of The Year
Hes a very talented player, haven't seen a lot of him but agreed that he didn't play too badly this evening. Gopperth gave direction to Harbour but was hardly outstanding.
Flem274*
123/5
Rugby has been great so far, wins to Taranaki and Manuwatu. Btw I throuroughly disagree with your analysis on Taranaki's chances this year Somerset, the only real issue from last night was Annabells lack of throwing ability in the line outs. 
Seriously, Harbour should not have had that much easy ball from his crappy throwing in. Lost count of how many "not straight"s he had. Corlett to play 80 minutes next week imo.
Seriously, Harbour should not have had that much easy ball from his crappy throwing in. Lost count of how many "not straight"s he had. Corlett to play 80 minutes next week imo.
Somerset
Cricketer Of The Year
Wow, what a match between Southland and Otago in Invercargill, Southland will be absolutely devestated with the skewed kick trying to get the ball into touch and the offside from which Otago managed an 81st minute penalty. Credit to Otago's first five Chris Noakes, great composure under huge pressure. Felt Otago deserved to win for the majority of the game, with so much territorial advantage in the first half, though Southland proved their strength at home and will be difficult to beat at Rugby Park throughout the season I'd imagine.
As for the earlier match, another sensational game and a great performance from Manawatu. To beat Canterbury at home, regardless of the inexperience of their side (though with the likes of Read, Hamilton, Tuiali'i in saying that), is a tremendous effort. Andre Taylor, Matty James, etc will be players to watch for if they can continue with their entertaining style.
With a match to play, the first round in the ANZC must be considered a huge success, two one point victories, a two point win in the last minute, and two other upsets (Northland and Manawatu) in a massively unpredictable weekend.
As for the earlier match, another sensational game and a great performance from Manawatu. To beat Canterbury at home, regardless of the inexperience of their side (though with the likes of Read, Hamilton, Tuiali'i in saying that), is a tremendous effort. Andre Taylor, Matty James, etc will be players to watch for if they can continue with their entertaining style.
With a match to play, the first round in the ANZC must be considered a huge success, two one point victories, a two point win in the last minute, and two other upsets (Northland and Manawatu) in a massively unpredictable weekend.
Somerset
Cricketer Of The Year
Harbour's line out was very good though, probably the only positive they can take from an otherwise average performance, so I'd give your hooker another chance before completely writing him off.Rugby has been great so far, wins to Taranaki and Manuwatu. Btw I throuroughly disagree with your analysis on Taranaki's chances this year Somerset, the only real issue from last night was Annabells lack of throwing ability in the line outs.
Seriously, Harbour should not have had that much easy ball from his crappy throwing in. Lost count of how many "not straight"s he had. Corlett to play 80 minutes next week imo.
As for Taranaki's chances, we'll see I guess.
Admittedly they have some quality domestic players like Eaton, Scott Waldrom and Austin but I still wouldn't be banking on them to make the top eight sides.
Perm
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Was at the game, got fairly upset. Girl I was with was possibly more upset. Good sign imo.Suck on that, Perm.
Clutch kick from Noakes - a player I've rated for the last season or so.
Perm
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
FTR I thought Noakes was fairly ordinary.Suck on that, Perm.
Clutch kick from Noakes - a player I've rated for the last season or so.
HeathDavisSpeed
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Ditto. Disappointed in my picks, but lovin' this weekend's results! Bloody pleased for Manawatu, and if Counties can defeat Auckland now (big IF, but 1 point up with 15 to go) then this really has been a successful first weekend this year.
Which team(s) can the NZRU boot out of the NPC now? Waikato?
HeathDavisSpeed
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
What a finish! Dare I say that in the last 20 minutes, Counties were easily the better team?
An excellently taken drop goal, and a well taken try as Auckland tried to open the game up.
A fantastic weekend of rugby - proving why the NPC >>>> Super 14
An excellently taken drop goal, and a well taken try as Auckland tried to open the game up.
A fantastic weekend of rugby - proving why the NPC >>>> Super 14
Perm
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Definitely agree with that. Sarah and I were getting into the Southland-Otago game more than I was with the Highlanders, or indeed the All Blacks.
Smudge
Hall of Fame Member
I can only assuming you were pashing "Sarah" (which may or may not be your hand) between minutes 1 to 80. Noakes controlled the game like an old master at 10, compared to scatterbrained, flashy-pants Stewart. Clearly, the Otago game plan focussed on plugging the corners and Noakes did that brilliantly, driving back the Southland wingers and forcing the Southland forwards to turn around regularly. The commentators (led by the Southlander, Tom Conroy) couldn't help but agree either.
Perm
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Haha, Sarah and I are in the same course. She is definitely not my hand
Fair enough, I'll take your word for it, I just wasn't overly impressed with Noakes. As I just said on MSN, Stewart was average early on but I felt he improved after half-time and especially when Dane Shelford was taken off and replaced with Scott Cowan.
Somerset
Cricketer Of The Year
Taped the game as I wasn't able to see it live and pleased that I did so, another sensational match with yet another underdog upsetting the more fancied side. The aggression and determination from their side was magnificent. A thoroughly deserved victory though, IMO they were unlucky not to capitalise on their huge dominance in territory in the first half playing into a reasonably strong wind. As for the second half, I believe with the exception of a few Toeava and David Smith breakouts, Counties were the better team and their victory is just what the Counties Manukau supporters and the competition will benefit from. They seem to have great talent amongst their backs; the talent of Masaga and Ta'auso was already well known but to have the likes of Ropati, super sub Tanner Vili (whose drop kick was absolutely BRILLIANT) and the relation of Nick Williams - the name escapes me - is a great sign for a side that didn't even win a game last year.
For Auckland on the other hand, besides Toeava and Smith they were very ordinary. With a strong wind at their backs to have only 30% of the territory in the first half is a clear indication of very ordinary tactics. The scrum was destroyed in that half, so it was no surprise to see changes made at the break. Tactics were still strange in the second half also, Moa at first five, Smith to fullback and taking Toeava off with 5 minutes to go was baffling. I do have a feeling that Toeava and Smith will score a truckload of tries in a few matches this season with their pace and flair.
For Auckland on the other hand, besides Toeava and Smith they were very ordinary. With a strong wind at their backs to have only 30% of the territory in the first half is a clear indication of very ordinary tactics. The scrum was destroyed in that half, so it was no surprise to see changes made at the break. Tactics were still strange in the second half also, Moa at first five, Smith to fullback and taking Toeava off with 5 minutes to go was baffling. I do have a feeling that Toeava and Smith will score a truckload of tries in a few matches this season with their pace and flair.
Somerset
Cricketer Of The Year
Just to sum up the first week of the ANZC, for me it was a thoroughly entertaining round of rugby, managed to watch all seven games and although most sides may be short of internationals, the quality was more than reasonable and the tightness of the games made up for any shortcomings in experience IMO. An excellent start, lets hope the upsets continue.
And a big tick for the ELVs, with 25 tries and only 23 penalties scored across the seven games, with two drop goals (Vili and Stewart). Remember that conditions in several of the matches weren't fantasic for scoring tries, so for the number of tries to still be greater than the number of penalty goals is impressive.
Points Table after round one:
And a big tick for the ELVs, with 25 tries and only 23 penalties scored across the seven games, with two drop goals (Vili and Stewart). Remember that conditions in several of the matches weren't fantasic for scoring tries, so for the number of tries to still be greater than the number of penalty goals is impressive.
Points Table after round one:
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Flem274*
123/5
Read in the paper today that the smaller unions are plotting the deaths of the big franchises with some trans-tasman comp thing. If it means the smaller unions get to retain their players and the comp will be of a high standard, I'm all for it. Pretty much anything>>>>Super 14. Love the Air NZ Cup so much more its just not funny.