Somerset
Cricketer Of The Year
Managed to catch up with the weekend's matches a day late again. Overall thought the quality of the rugby this round was pretty average, even though a number of sides had a few All Blacks released to play for them.
Auckland vs Manawatu was terribly referreed by Keith Brown and the skill level wasn't much better at times. 14 straight arm penalties (half of which should've been free kicks IMO) and two yellow cards (at least one, CW's favourite Lachie Munro, was completely unnecessary) as well as a contentious penaltry try (which I did agree with) sums up the dominance of the officialdom. Watching Manawatu play, it was hard to believe they had the capacity to beat Canterbury at Jade Stadium. As for Auckland, they'll be lucky to hang onto the Shield come the end of the season one feels, with both Southland and Wellington set to challenge for it.
Hawkes Bay was excellent in beating a poor Tasman side, 41-6 in the end which completely went against expectations of a close game. Nice to see the Magpies finding some of the form that saw them so clinical in reaching the semi finals of last year's competition after last week's loss to Southland (that may also indicate how strong Southland are though). Was also great to see Zac Guildford and Taumalolo, two of last year's stars, having quality matches.
The game at Yarrow Stadium between Taranaki and Canterbury was very average, surprising given how superb Canterbury was, particular in the second half, against Auckland last weekend. Took 79 and a half minutes for a try to be scored which, from a fairly neutral point of view, left for some dull patches in the game. Taranaki simply have to sort out their line out; I don't wish to pass all the blame onto their hookers but with two Super 14 locks its hard not to. Pushes Taranaki back to 13th spot and well out of the top eight - personally could see it coming though, even after their victory against North Harbour in the opening round.
And speaking of Harbour, finally a win on the board. Their match against Waikato was another in week four that never really found its rhythm though at least Harbour could hang onto victory in the dying stages this time, unlike their last home match against Wellington. Gopperth led from the front and to be honest controlled the Harbour backline better than Donald led Waikato's in my opinion. Some nices touches from Donald, particularly in scoring an excellent first half try, but for the All Black first five back up to Carter, I was expecting a bit more. Waikato have real problems now, no wins from four games, and although they've got five bonus points, Auckland will surely be no pushover next week to get their first win of the campaign.
Auckland vs Manawatu was terribly referreed by Keith Brown and the skill level wasn't much better at times. 14 straight arm penalties (half of which should've been free kicks IMO) and two yellow cards (at least one, CW's favourite Lachie Munro, was completely unnecessary) as well as a contentious penaltry try (which I did agree with) sums up the dominance of the officialdom. Watching Manawatu play, it was hard to believe they had the capacity to beat Canterbury at Jade Stadium. As for Auckland, they'll be lucky to hang onto the Shield come the end of the season one feels, with both Southland and Wellington set to challenge for it.
Hawkes Bay was excellent in beating a poor Tasman side, 41-6 in the end which completely went against expectations of a close game. Nice to see the Magpies finding some of the form that saw them so clinical in reaching the semi finals of last year's competition after last week's loss to Southland (that may also indicate how strong Southland are though). Was also great to see Zac Guildford and Taumalolo, two of last year's stars, having quality matches.
The game at Yarrow Stadium between Taranaki and Canterbury was very average, surprising given how superb Canterbury was, particular in the second half, against Auckland last weekend. Took 79 and a half minutes for a try to be scored which, from a fairly neutral point of view, left for some dull patches in the game. Taranaki simply have to sort out their line out; I don't wish to pass all the blame onto their hookers but with two Super 14 locks its hard not to. Pushes Taranaki back to 13th spot and well out of the top eight - personally could see it coming though, even after their victory against North Harbour in the opening round.
And speaking of Harbour, finally a win on the board. Their match against Waikato was another in week four that never really found its rhythm though at least Harbour could hang onto victory in the dying stages this time, unlike their last home match against Wellington. Gopperth led from the front and to be honest controlled the Harbour backline better than Donald led Waikato's in my opinion. Some nices touches from Donald, particularly in scoring an excellent first half try, but for the All Black first five back up to Carter, I was expecting a bit more. Waikato have real problems now, no wins from four games, and although they've got five bonus points, Auckland will surely be no pushover next week to get their first win of the campaign.
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Really great defence from Hawkes Bay and along with their ability to counter attack and, for patches towards the end of the first half, throw the ball around to create space, that determined the result. Otago must be a bit worried now, a scratchy win against Counties, a loss at home to HB...and BOP next week away from home. As for Hawkes Bay, fantastic to see their season back on track after two losses in the first three weeks.
