Air New Zealand Cup (NPC) 2008 - Discussion and Prediction League

[Somerset]

A few entertaining matches this afternoon.

Canterbury beat Otago by seven points but IMO were by far the better side and could've won by much more had they converted their opportunities better. Decent defensive effort from Otago though, and seeing a few of the defences of the other provinces so far this weekend that has to be acknowledged. Their line out was shocking though which was unusual for an Otago side. For Canterbury, Colin Slade, yet another Canterbrian first five, was pretty impressive in directing Canterbury around the park; I guess they needed him to be with both Bateman and Brett still on the sideline.

A massive shock in the BOP vs Counties game to see the Bay win with absolute ease. A really fantastic effort and their execution, ability to break tackles and find gaps in the Counties defense was superb. I actually thought Counties were going to win after the first ten minutes and was regretting only picking them by one point in the tipping competition, but their tactic last week to play the game down in Auckland's half was completely abandonned for some strange reason, with what I'd call "nothing kicks" and a lack of structure big disappointments after last week's effort.

As for the Hawkes Bay vs Northland match, best game of the season so far in terms of entertainment value. Eleven tries and most of them good ones with sensational attacking from both sides, even if overlaps seemed to be on the agenda throughout the entire game. I dare say that defense will be a focus at training throughout the week for both sides. Northland didn't seem to miss Holwell as much as I expected, with Jared Payne really stepping up (and scoring two tries to cap things off). For Hawkes Bay, great to see the attacking skills that saw them so successful last year, even if they managed to conceed a try basically every time they managed one of their own.

 

[Somerset]

Really dominant display from Auckland in their match against Taranaki this afternoon, I can't remember seeing statistics so highly in favour of one side such as Auckland's this afternoon for some time. They certainly deserved to win by more than 16 points IMO as besides a few five minute patches in the second half, the Naki offered absolutely nothing on attack. I'm sure the margin would've been greater had Munro not had a horrid day with his goal kicking, personally I would've almost been tempted to hand the kicking duties over to Ben Atiga. Should be a great match next week with Auckland facing Canterbury, with both sides showing clear dominance in their matches this weekend after being upset in the opening round.

I noted down some of the statistics, by the way; at half time:
- Auckland had 83% of territory
- Taranaki had made 90 tackles to Auckland's eight, with 91 breakdowns to 11
- 13 missed tackles to zero, nine lineout wins to one

And at full time:
- 160 Auckland breakdowns to Taranaki's 74 and 155 tackles to 66
- 22 missed tackles to six, eight lineout wins to eight
- Taniela Moa made more than 85 passes during the match

 

[Somerset]

Points Table after week two:

1 Somerset 13.33
2= HeathyD 11.33
2= BoyBrumby 11.33
4 SmytheNZ 10.00
5 Edmunds 8.50
6 Vimes 8.00

 

[Perm]

Only saw highlights on the news, but it looked like Lachie Munro had another good game. Continuing to impress me, I'm glad he found his way in 15's.

 

[Somerset]

Only saw highlights on the news, but it looked like Lachie Munro had another good game. Continuing to impress me, I'm glad he found his way in 15's.

As I mentioned, his goal kicking was uncharacteristically poor but other than that he was pretty good, was excellent in setting up Braid's try in particular.

 

[Smudge]

Munro's a flake, and an arrogant flake at that. Hope he never gets within cooee of an All Black jersey.

 

[Somerset]

Munro's a flake, and an arrogant flake at that. Hope he never gets within cooee of an All Black jersey.

I don't think anyone's suggesting that hes in line for an AB jersey any time soon, and I think its a bit harsh to call him an arrogant flake. But he has impressed with his play both this season and last, and his ability to find the gap in defences, strong running and generally good kicking has been a real asset for Auckland given the inexperience of their side this year to last.

 

[Smudge]

It's not harsh - his dropgoal against North Otago when 70 points up was the act of a flash-arse ****wit show pony who thinks he's someone special. I hope he gets hammered by some big loose forward when he attempts his next one.

 

[Perm]

 

[Somerset]

It's not harsh - his dropgoal against North Otago when 70 points up was the act of a flash-arse ****wit show pony who thinks he's someone special. I hope he gets hammered by some big loose forward when he attempts his next one.

I still think you're being a little bit over critical, in the situation you mentioned the half time siren had gone and there was nothing to lose by taking the drop kick. At least his kicking was good that day, hardly missed a shot at goal from memory.

 

[Smudge]

I still think you're being a little bit over critical, in the situation you mentioned the half time siren had gone and there was nothing to lose by taking the drop kick. .

And there was nothing to gain from it - he had a line-up of players outside him who could have scored. Just reeks of "look at me" - and while he could argue he was being kind on North Otago, that would just be showing them no respect.

He's a knobjockey who needs a haircut.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

He's a knobjockey who needs a haircut.

He's also as ugly as sin and has a nose that could easily double as the finger holes to a bowling ball.

 

[Somerset]

Haha I guess its fair to see Munro has a bit to do before he pleases you lot then.

Onto a slightly more important matter, Tasman and Northland cut from the Air New Zealand Cup first division from next year. Tasman always seemed destined to go and I guess Northland was also a reasonably good bet for the second of the two teams but personally I'm quite disappointed to see Northland get the boot.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Haha I guess its fair to see Munro has a bit to do before he pleases you lot then.

Onto a slightly more important matter, Tasman and Northland cut from the Air New Zealand Cup first division from next year. Tasman always seemed destined to go and I guess Northland was also a reasonably good bet for the second of the two teams but personally I'm quite disappointed to see Northland get the boot.

Tasman and Bay of Plenty should have been booted, personally speaking. The Bay seem very badly run, and I though this was one of the key criteria.

The other criteria included the stadium and support infrastructure... Well, surely the problems with Counties playing at Pukekohe are worse than the stadium in Whangarei?

Going on form, it'd have been good to see Waikato in a position of potential relegation!

Northland vs. Waikato for [next year's] the relegation play-off... Who'd win that one at the moment?

 

[Somerset]

Tasman and Bay of Plenty should have been booted, personally speaking. The Bay seem very badly run, and I though this was one of the key criteria.

The other criteria included the stadium and support infrastructure... Well, surely the problems with Counties playing at Pukekohe are worse than the stadium in Whangarei?

Going on form, it'd have been good to see Waikato in a position of potential relegation!

Northland vs. Waikato for [next year's] the relegation play-off... Who'd win that one at the moment?

The irony about the dropping of two sides is that the so-called weaker teams have actually been reasonably strong this year, with all of them (bar Harbour) having won at least a game and in the BOP's case, two. I never really saw the Bay getting cut though, they've got a couple of excellent stadiums in Rotorua and Mt Manganui and taking aside last year have always been capable of putting out a half-decent side (even winning the Shield about three years ago from memory).

If I was to have chosen the two sides to go down, Tasman and Counties Manukau would've been the two, and I tend to agree with your point about Counties' infrastructure at Pukekohe. In saying that, the Counties players seemed to rise for the occasion of playing at Growers Stadium in the first game of the season against Auckland and even with a lack of permanent seating, I guess its got enough capacity for the sort of crowds that show up to provincial rugby matches.

As for the play-off, if it was to be held today, I'm sure a few Mooloos would be a little anxious, but I can't see Northland or Tasman retaining most of their stronger players in the Heartland Championship next year and doubt that the promotion-relegation match, unless its against a depleted Manawatu or Counties, would be that close.

 

[Smudge]

Wouldn't have minded seeing Harbour go, tbh. Newest of the provinces (bar Tasman, but that's just a professional amalgamation) and the apathy on the North Shore towards their provincial rugby team is staggering.

 

[Somerset]

Wouldn't have minded seeing Harbour go, tbh. Newest of the provinces (bar Tasman, but that's just a professional amalgamation) and the apathy on the North Shore towards their provincial rugby team is staggering.

Given their performance this season so far I guess you've got a point but I'm not sure if they would've been seriously considered by the board to get dropped. With regards to the Shore going to support them, I remember going to the Waikato vs Harbour shield match when Waikato won by about 35 points and at least half the crowd were Waikato supporters who had made the trip up. At least the ground was reasonably full that night. The crowd for the match against Wellington on Thursday was pretty average too and although Friday/Saturday matches may increase numbers somewhat, I can't see it getting that much better.

 

[Smudge]

Given their performance this season so far I guess you've got a point but I'm not sure if they would've been seriously considered by the board to get dropped.

Of course they wouldn't have been considered, but it makes Chris Rattue's rants about Harbour replacing Otago as a Super 14 base increasingly pathetic when the team underperforms, the crowds are ****house and there's no passion in the region for the side whatsoever.

 

[Perm]

Personally I can't see how Manawatu didn't get the chop, they've improved lately, but I still think they are significantly weaker than most of the other sides. Counties are in the same boat too, especially with the stadium issues they had last year.

Tasman was an amalgamation that I had high hopes for, as Nelson Bays and Marlborough were both pretty good teams in Division Two of the old NPC, and there is a fair bit of talent in the side too. Would've been nice to see Canterbury support their franchise 'partner' but it's too late now.

Really sad to see Northland go though, used to love watching them take on Southland and it always felt like there was a really passionate battle whenever the two teams met. Disappointing for the likes of Justin Collins and David Holwell too, not to mention some of the younger guys like Rene Ranger.

 

[Somerset]

Round three of the ANZC starts tonight with Manawatu vs Waikato. Without wanting to jinx them, I'd say that Waikato should get their first win of the competition tonight, but away from home against a Manawatu side that have already beaten Canterbury, I don't see them running away in a one sided contest like Southland did against the Turbos last week.

Canterbury vs Auckland should be an excellent encounter, I've picked Canterbury but if Auckland can continue on with their dominant form last week, they should pick up the win. Wellington should win easily but the other games could go either way. I've picked Otago, Hawkes Bay and the BOP but I wouldn't be surprised if one or two of those go the opposite way. I actually wanted to pick Tasman and hope they'll win but picked Taranaki in the other match, as I assumed everyone else would and didn't want to take the risk of going against the flow.