Air New Zealand Cup 2009

[kingdamo]

Go the Mighty Turbos!

 

[Smudge]

Thats interesting because he wasn't named in their official squad...

Well, perhaps it was an oversight in the official squad naming, because he's definitely on the bench.

 

[Somerset]

Otago leading by 8 points at half time against Wellington...is the Shield going south? Not that I have anything against Wellington but I'll be hoping that Otago hang onto their lead.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

I'm quietly hoping Otago give Wellington a big push this weekend. Looks a decent Otago squad on paper. Could the Blue & Golds spring a surprise first up? We had some big shocks in last year's first round of matches. In comparison, an Otago win would be small-fry.

Well... Glad I said this... Otago have been the far superior team so far. Only David Smith giving them repeated problems. I have to say I was surprised that they didn't go to the TV replay for that Wellington "try" in the first half. Would have been a tight call - I'd have given it myself, obviously

Pressure on Otago a bit more in the 2nd, but Wellington (and Kirkpatrick in particular) are making a lot of rookie errors.

 

[Somerset]

Well... Glad I said this... Otago have been the far superior team so far. Only David Smith giving them repeated problems. I have to say I was surprised that they didn't go to the TV replay for that Wellington "try" in the first half. Would have been a tight call - I'd have given it myself, obviously

Pressure on Otago a bit more in the 2nd, but Wellington (and Kirkpatrick in particular) are making a lot of rookie errors.

Vinnie Munro didn't use the TV replay because he didn't have that option available, nor will any match this season - I presume its the NZRU that are not prepared to pay for a television match official, so all decisions are made on field. On the build up to last night's opening match, Ian Smith talked to someone from the rugby union who said it was a cost saving plan. I doubt the fans of the first team to receive an incorrect try call because the referee didn't have that option will be overly impressed at that reasoning though...

Thought Wellington were rather average tonight, Kirkpatrick especially, and when Fili entered the game Wellington looked a much more solid unit. Also nice to know theres a first five in the competition that can score drop goals at important times. I'm sure Otago will take a lot of confidence from their performance, their backline looks excellent with Mather the standout for me on both attack and defence; and with Adam Thomson leading a well-drilled forward pack, they should hold their own up front too.

Finally, a good win for Taranaki last night - they trailed 9-0 but then scored 21 unanswered points, and if it hadn't taken them half an hour to wake up they would've won a lot more convincingly. Hayward and Austin, two players that I mentioned to look out for, scoring tries.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Vinnie Munro didn't use the TV replay because he didn't have that option available, nor will any match this season - I presume its the NZRU that are not prepared to pay for a television match official, so all decisions are made on field. On the build up to last night's opening match, Ian Smith talked to someone from the rugby union who said it was a cost saving plan. I doubt the fans of the first team to receive an incorrect try call because the referee didn't have that option will be overly impressed at that reasoning though...

I didn't realise this. Absolutely shocking decision from the NZRU. Another example of them sidelining the NPC. How much does the TMO cost? The coverage is already filmed

Thought Wellington were rather average tonight, Kirkpatrick especially, and when Fili entered the game Wellington looked a much more solid unit. Also nice to know theres a first five in the competition that can score drop goals at important times. I'm sure Otago will take a lot of confidence from their performance, their backline looks excellent with Mather the standout for me on both attack and defence; and with Adam Thomson leading a well-drilled forward pack, they should hold their own up front too.)

Agree with this entirely. Fili is a much better option than Kirkpatrick. Fili is one of the most accurate kickers in the country at the moment. Supposedly, his all-round game doesn't stack up so well compared to Kirkpatrick, but if young Dan continues to kick good ball out on the full and fails to kick 10 at the restart then he has to go.

Pretty much the same reason that Stephen Donald shouldn't be starting for the All Blacks. Flake.

Kudos to Otago. They played bloody well tonight and could well compete for a top four this year.

 

[Smudge]

Being an Otago supporter sucks.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Bad luck mate. I was gonna text you at half time and congratulate you for the win. Couldn't see Wellington coming back from that. Glad I didn't; not sure what I'd have received back at full time.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Thought Wellington were rather average tonight, Kirkpatrick especially, and when Fili entered the game Wellington looked a much more solid unit. Also nice to know theres a first five in the competition that can score drop goals at important times.

A Kiwi liking drop goals? What's the world coming to?

Monster conversion by Fili. Particularly enjoyed his bump move against the 22m marker.

 

[99*]

God Auckland were woeful. Have nothing in attack, and shocking defence.

Wonder how quick next year's "Premier Division" will be expanded when Auckland finish in the bottom four, or how one of the smaller provinces that makes the top ten finds 'finiancial problems' and is forced out.

 

[Smudge]

Happy to only miss the Canterbury-Harbour result so far. Always rated Southland at home - gee, they're tough - and this Hawke's Bay unit is probably the most gelled in the competition simply because 80-90 percent of them were in the starting lineup last year.

 

[Somerset]

Standings after Week One:
Voltman 6
BoyBrumby 5
Samuel_Vimes 5
Somerset 5
HeathDavisSpeed 4
Ripper868 3

So Voltman leads after week one, one of only two tipsters to back Southland over Waikato. No one picked North Harbour (though then again I never really envisioned Canterbury losing their opening game of the season for a second consecutive year). Also interesting that of the Super 14 bases only Wellington record a victory, after their win over Otago, and with Auckland smashed by a brilliant performance from Hawkes Bay - they're now at $4.50 to win the competition (third favourite) after starting off around the $12 mark if I recall correctly.

Week Two Matches:
Northland vs Taranaki
North Harbour vs Tasman
Otago vs Southland
Waikato vs Manawatu
Hawkes Bay vs Wellington - potentially the game of the season IMO
Auckland vs Canterbury
Counties Manukau vs Bay of Plenty

 

[Smudge]

Northland vs Taranaki
North Harbour vs Tasman
Otago vs Southland
Waikato vs Manawatu
Hawkes Bay vs Wellington - potentially the game of the season IMO
Auckland vs Canterbury
Counties Manukau vs Bay of Plenty

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Northland vs Taranaki
North Harbour vs Tasman
Otago vs Southland
Waikato vs Manawatu
Hawkes Bay vs Wellington
Auckland vs Canterbury
Counties Manukau vs Bay of Plenty

Hmmm. Tempted to pick Tasman over North Harbour, but I doubt Tasman will have enough attacking zeal to penetrate the Harbour defence. Could be a battle of penalties in that one.

 

[Somerset]

Otago vs Southland

Is your tactic to continually bet against Otago in hope that they'll prove you wrong and enjoy a successful season?

 

[Smudge]

Nah. While I was happy with Otago's performance on Friday, Southland are a real dark horse of the comp, and they essentially suffocated Waikato on Saturday night. I can see them doing the same on Saturday, and we're already lacking in genuine firepower.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

I think the line-out is the area of Southland's game that teams should be looking to target. Most of their line outs went to Hoani MacDonald last year, and they haven't brought anyone of the same locking standard in to replace him. He was dominant in the line-out in 2008 - MacDonald won 20% more line-outs than any other player last year.

 

[BoyBrumby]

So Voltman leads after week one, the one tipster to back Southland over Waikato.

One of two, tbf:

Tasman
Bay of Plenty
Wellington
Hawkes Bay
Canterbury
Southland
Manawatu

You got my score right tho, in all fairness.

 

[ripper868]

Northland vs Taranaki
North Harbour vs Tasman
Otago vs Southland
Waikato vs Manawatu
Hawkes Bay vs Wellington
Auckland vs Canterbury
Counties Manukau vs Bay of Plenty

Have seriously no idea, Somers, if possible would you be able to post the scores after each round? There's a beer or 2 in it

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Waikato vs Manawatu

I would pay good money for this result to come in.