Auckland go down to Tasman?

[Larksea]

been some shocking results in this comp but this takes the cake.

Auckland were picked by many to win the premiership, yet they just lost to the likely championship wooden spoon team.

Shocker

[Shaggy]

been some shocking results in this comp but this takes the cake.

Auckland were picked by many to win the premiership, yet they just lost to the likely championship wooden spoon team.

Shocker

Yeah, I saw the headline "Tasman upset Auckland" ... I just thought Cooky had said something nasty to some of the guys from Auckland

[Little Guy]

been some shocking results in this comp but this takes the cake.

Auckland were picked by many to win the premiership, yet they just lost to the likely championship wooden spoon team.

Shocker

This year has been impossible to pick, teams look good one week then play a total stinker in the next round, I think the short turnaround isn't helping as well the missing AB players have affected depth. At this point I have no idea what will happen from round to round. I thought this game was a gimmee.

[Shaggy]

This year has been impossible to pick, teams look good one week then play a total stinker in the next round, I think the short turnaround isn't helping as well the missing AB players have affected depth. At this point I have no idea what will happen from round to round. I thought this game was a gimmee.

It was ... for ME!

[Little Guy]

It was ... for ME!

That was a good pick!!! Any ideas on who will win this year?

[Larksea]

goes to show how close the comp is all the way through. Even Tasman have some very good players and can beat any team on the day. Marshal brothers are great. The tasman hooker is a good one and that classy lock they have. That try the #8 scored from the james Marshal run was a dandy.

[donmcdazzle]

That's why I don't like the split of championship/premiership. Auckland would likely be lower than HB, Manawatu, maybe even Otago but since only one team goes down they'll likely stay up whereas one of the better teams from the championship (Manawatu and HB are definitely better than Auckland this year) will miss out.

I've always said it should have been one comp, play your neighbours and the rest of the games drawn at random to make up the 10 games they play. Have semis and finals as usual. One or both of HB and Manawatu would have most likely made the semi's if it was all one comp.

[Shaggy]

That was a good pick!!! Any ideas on who will win this year?

Yes I do, but as you are in the same picking comp as me, and are way ahead of me, I think i'll keep those ideas to myself!

[ZeFrenchy]

From wjat I've read, though, Tasman has lost very close matches this year, they're not really that bad... (I insist: from what I've read)

Question: How did Pablo Huete play? Do you think he has absolutely no chance to make it to Super Rugby in the next few years? (I mean, had he stayed in New Zealand after the ITM cup, of course)

[markshaw]

From wjat I've read, though, Tasman has lost very close matches this year, they're not really that bad... (I insist: from what I've read)

Question: How did Pablo Huete play? Do you think he has absolutely no chance to make it to Super Rugby in the next few years? (I mean, had he stayed in New Zealand after the ITM cup, of course)

I cant really see him at the next level but he does well at ITM. Good on him for having a crack down here

[ranger]

From wjat I've read, though, Tasman has lost very close matches this year, they're not really that bad... (I insist: from what I've read)

Question: How did Pablo Huete play? Do you think he has absolutely no chance to make it to Super Rugby in the next few years? (I mean, had he stayed in New Zealand after the ITM cup, of course)

Yeah, they are right up there with the best attacking teams, their defence is just a shambles.

As for Huete, he wasn't great to be honest. Just looked like he was making up the numbers. The only time i heard his name was when he missed a tackle on Brent Ward to let a try in, then got pulled after the half. He seems like a solid option at this level, but he doesnt look ready to go any further at this stage.

[smartcooky]

Yeah, I saw the headline "Tasman upset Auckland" ... I just thought Cooky had said something nasty to some of the guys from Auckland

I did Shaggy! I went to the game and sat in the "World Cup" seating that has been set up in front of the old east stand. It was effing cold (2°) and everyone was keeping their feet and legs warm by stamping their feet. It was a great atmosphere, and while there might have only been two or three thousand there, we were making enough noise for 20,000, especially when Anscombe was kicking for goal.

A couple of us were giving it to the Latte Louts about constantly going off their feet at the tackle, but they had to, because Tasman absolutely OWNED the breakdown all night.

It was a great game to watch live. Some of Tasman's back play was just sublime, especially the try just before halftime to make it 17-all, and the length of the field effort in the second half that ended with Goodman's try.

[Invictus]

I did enjoy the halftime police show.

[Shaggy]

I did Shaggy! I went to the game and sat in the "World Cup" seating that has been set up in front of the old east stand. It was effing cold (2°) and everyone was keeping their feet and legs warm by stamping their feet. It was a great atmosphere, and while there might have only been two or three thousand there, we were making enough noise for 20,000, especially when Anscombe was kicking for goal.

A couple of us were giving it to the Latte Louts about constantly going off their feet at the tackle, but they had to, because Tasman absolutely OWNED the breakdown all night.

It was a great game to watch live. Some of Tasman's back play was just sublime, especially the try just before halftime to make it 17-all, and the length of the field effort in the second half that ended with Goodman's try.

I find it very hard to believe that it was cold in Nelson, despite the big freeze i've been reading about, that's happening in New Zealand at the moment ... it was ALWAYS SUNNY AND WARM WHEN I LIVED THERE!

... I haven't seen the game yet, but Setanta are showing it in the next day or so, so i'll make sure I watch it ... did you feature in the highlights reel Cooky?

[smartcooky]

I find it very hard to believe that it was cold in Nelson, despite the big freeze i've been reading about, that's happening in New Zealand at the moment ... it was ALWAYS SUNNY AND WARM WHEN I LIVED THERE!

Believe it! No snow though, protected from that by the Richmond Ranges of course.

... I haven't seen the game yet, but Setanta are showing it in the next day or so, so i'll make sure I watch it ... did you feature in the highlights reel Cooky?

Nope, but I haven't seen the full replay.

We are halfway up the temporary stand about in line with the 10m line on the left as you see it on the TV (red & dark blue beanie!)

[Shaggy]

Believe it! No snow though, protected from that by the Richmond Ranges of course.



Nope, but I haven't seen the full replay.

We are halfway up the temporary stand about in line with the 10m line on the left as you see it on the TV (red & dark blue beanie!)

I'll look out for you ... of course if I see you, i'll be wanting your autograph