ANZC Week 8 - TISM time .....

[Jethro]

Counties Manukau 6 - 14 Southland

One of those games that are best forgotten. The Steelers hit them up front to keep things under wraps, but neither team looked dangerous for the duration of the match. Maybe strengths nullifying each other? Counties deserved a bonus point from the match, the Stags with be dirty on not getting a bonus point win themselves. Once again underlining there are no easy games in this year's ANZC and the requirement to have a dependable kicking expert in the backline to slot over the penalties.

 

[jawmalawm24]

It's no fluke that Southland are up there I thought by now they might of fallen off a little by now but not even. Didn't watch the game but got regular updates from the old man he said it was a pretty tight game.

How did the other game go did Bay Of Plenty play Tasman last night too. Hope the competition continues like it is because there's just something about it thats making the fans come back to support their local teams.

Horowhenua played West Coast I think it was the other week in Paraparaumu and for a Heartland comp they got 1500 people and that's huge for them. Don't know how the crowd was with Horowhenua vs Wanganui or is that Whanganui but I'm sure it would of been good.

 

[William18]

Tonight will be an absolutely massive game. If we are to lose then that could pretty much be our chances of making the playoffs. Waikato have been poor this year and we really should beat them. I thought we would beat Taranaki last week as well so we will have to wait and see.

 

[Jethro]

Bay of Plenty 24 - 13 Tasman

Australian referee Nathan Pearce had his work cut out in a bad advertisement for the game, particularly from the hosts. Thirty minutes in and three yellow cards issued, thought we were to play some rugby. The Makos simply made far too many mistakes to stay in the match with BOP deserving their win as the final whistle blew.

Canterbury 29 - 17 Taranaki

It was 14 a piece at half time and there must have been some believe in Naki country that they might cause a major upset. Four minutes into the second half and the Evil Empire had added 10 unanswered points, game over. Sean Maitland, fullback Cantab, reminded EOYT selectors he's about with smart play through out the game and a brace of tries. Canterbury too strong in defense and way too clinical in attack.

Waikato 23 - 18 Wellington

At half time it looked like some man shaming was going to be dished out as Mooloo headed to the sheds 20-6 up. The Lions were fired up in the second half and forced Waikato into defensive mode. Poor handling and finishing, something the ABs need to work on this evening, cost the Capital City boys the win.

 

[Jethro]

Auckland 14 - 16 North Harbour

Auckland got out of jail last weekend but in the battle of the bridge Harbour managed to hold on for the win. Auckland made a hell of a lot more mistakes and this cost them a match that they had to win to move into the top four. Congrats to Harbour on it's second scalp of the year, remarkably Auckland and Canterbury, and hopefully the rest of the season pans out from here. Auckland to do some soul searching on what went wrong, we're been there and done that down in the Bay.

 

[Jethro]

Hawke's Bay 32 - 10 Otago

The Bay finely get their season together with consecutive bonus point wins. The Hawkeye Guy's lead 25-3 at half time with some solid and enterprisingly rugby. They sorted the bonus point shortly after the break as the heavens opened up, and unfort the game went to pieces soon after as the ball turned to soap. Otago scored a try late in the second half but at this stage people were waiting on the final whistle as the penalty and mistake counts went into the stratosphere. Well done the Bay season back on track, Otago in trouble.

 

[Jethro]

Manawatu 18 - 25 Northland

In a messy game the Taniwha kept up with Manawatu playing into a gale and managed enough to win in the second half. Northland have some work to do on their lineout and must be concerned with their discipline at crucial times. The wheels seem to have come right off the Manawatu campaign after an excellent start to the season. It's not going to get any easier from here.

 

[Jethro]

Table After Round Eight

1. Canterbury 29
2. Southland 28
3. Bay Of Plenty 25
4. Hawkes Bay 21
5. Auckland 21
6. Tasman 20
7. Wellington 20
8. Taranaki 18
9. Waikato 17
10. Manawatu 16
11. Northland 15
12. Otago 14
13. North Harbour 12
14. Counties Manukau 11