36 replies to this topic

[Lise]

North Harbour: Jack McPhee, Nafi Tuitavake, George Pisi, Michael Harris, Rudi Wulf, Ben Botica, Chris Smylie, Viliame Ma'afu, Tom Chamberlin, Chris Smith ©, Filo Paolu, James King, Ben Afeaki, Michael Mayhew, Michael Reid.
Reserves: James Hansen, James Afoa, Richard Mayhew, Robbie Colhoun, Matt France, Andrew Mailei, Ken Pisi.

Southland: Mark Wells, Matt Saunders, Kendrick Lynn, Jason Kawau, Pehi Te Whare, James Wilson, Scott Cowan, Hua Tamariki, Tim Boys, John Hardie, Joe Tuineau, Josh Bekhuis, Fai Mika, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh ©
Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Chris King, David Gannon, Noa Soqeta, Sonny Rangitoheriri, Seminar Manu, Tony Koonwaiyou.

Robbie Robinson is out with a hamstring injury and David Hall is, also, out injured. This will Pehi Te Whare's 50th game for Southland

[taniwharugby]

dunno why, but have a sneaky suspicion NH will roll Southland!

[justin77]

Yep, same..only because Southland have Northland next week at home..always happens to us! 15 angry Southlanders next week..damn!

[JK]

Some interesting changes for Harbour. Tuitavake out with a groin strain. Smylie back in at 9, Harris out to 12 and young bots given the chance to start inside him at 10. Should be interesting. Bit tough on Mailei though as hes been pretty effective so far this season.

A few changes for Southland too. Robbie Robinson not there, but Matt Saunders is back

[taniwharugby]

about to be 10-0 to NH, intercept to Botica...

[taniwharugby]

10-5 after 15

[taniwharugby]

16-10 after 25 to NH, loads of t/o's

[Paarl2]

Thanks TR, keep us updated. I always get NHs tipping wrong, so I decided to tip against them, so they'll win this time.

[taniwharugby]

I think I may have a mutiny on my hands...I'll keep going as long as I can

Botica looks to have found his dad's boots.

Chamberlain looking good for NH, but NH getting done on the left hand side in both SOuthland's tries

[Lise]

Good, open game so far and Ben Botica is doing a good job.

[taniwharugby]

still no change to score, a few errors creeping in, but some good movements.

Seems ref's are allowing aot of players to go off thier feet at ruck time this year.

[taniwharugby]

James Wilson 0/3 with the boot, still 16-10 with a few to go

[taniwharugby]

Botica attempts a long range DG to close out the half; 16-10

Southland dominating territory and possession, but NH hold a slim lead, all from Botica.

If both sides can hold a bit more ball, this game could really open up!

[taniwharugby]

Harbour in all sorts of trouble when Southland spin it wide

[taniwharugby]

big break by Tuitivake, got caught, and then off loaded to support and Tuitivakes tackler foot tripped him. Penalty only. xzxunknown

Botica misses his first, 16-10

[taniwharugby]

Tuitivake looking sharp!

12 phases attacking Southland's line only to knock on.

[taniwharugby]

Harbour blow another attacking play, Tuitivake couldnt pick up a pass slightly behind him

[Sambo]

go HARBOURRRR !!!!! xzxgood

[taniwharugby]

bit messy in patches, NH getting a bit more ball, Botica with another shot.

Looked like a stiff arm from Bekhuis on McPhee, but not high...

19-10

[taniwharugby]

Botica had a kick charged inside his 22, Southland score in the corner
Southland get 1st kick of the night 19-17

almost me over for the night... eusa_whistle

[taniwharugby]

Harbour once again knock the ball onj after several phases inside the Southland 22

[taniwharugby]

and again...thats me over

[D-Up]

Thanks for the updates mate,

Whats the latest?

[Bullethole]

How long left?

[Sambo]

argh, any updates???

[Sambo]

Southland apparently infront 24-22 with about 5 to go....

[Scorz]

Southland 24-22 over Harbour only just saw the end.

[Nahling]

Yessss...and 5 pointer away from home.

[Sambo]

bastards!!!!!!!! xzxmad xzxnegative

[Mattasaurus]

Well done the mighty STAGS!!!!!!!

Commentary was a little one eyed imo, Southland deserved the win, they played the better rugby and earned it, if there were a couple less handling errors and kicks going over it could've been a reasonable margin.

NH forwards played better, but I think that was more a reflection of the return of Chamberlain who had a very solid game in the loose, and provided them with some nice turnover ball..... which wasn't always used well.