Darwin
AKA Dingo_Darwin
- Joined
- May 30, 2007
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Teams announced: (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/itm-cup-heartland-championship/4281746/Auckland-make-changes-for-semifinal-against-Waikato) (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/itm-cup-heartland-championship/4281198/Sivivatu-back-to-bolster-Waikato-for-semifinal)
AUCKLAND: Brent Ward, Chay Raui, Ben Atiga, Benson Stanley, Atieli Pakalani, Gareth Anscombe, Toby Morland, Peter Saili, Sean Polwart, Chris Lowrey, Liaki Moli, Kurtis Haiu, Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Angus Ta'avao, Steven Luatua, Onosa'i Auva'a, Auvasa Faleali'i, Matt Berquist, Winston Stanley.
WAIKATO: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Save Tokula, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Trent Renata, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow; 8 Alex Bradley, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Romana Graham, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Nathan White (capt), 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Toby Smith. Reserves: Hikairo Forbes, 17 Ben May, 18 Kent Fife, 19 Zak Hohneck, 20 Malcolm Barnes, 21 Christian Lealiifano, 22 Henry Speight.
I'm really looking forward to the game, as these are probably the two form teams in ITM Cup. I see Waikato having a slight advantage up front, with Smith and de Malmanche in great form. The locks are reasonably evenly matched, though I really do rate young Moli from Auckland. The loose-forward trio's look evenly matched - I'm looking forward to seeing how young Polwart goes for Auckland, as he's been in great form in recent weeks, and may be pushing for a Blues contract.
Waikato will benefit in having Kerr-Barlow back in the starting lineup, and I can see them having a slight advantage in the halves (though Anscombe does look very promising). I see the midfield as relatively evenly matches, but think Waikato has a noticeable advantage out wide - even with a slightly overweight and unfit Sivivatu.
Overall I'm picking Waikato to win by 10 points.
AUCKLAND: Brent Ward, Chay Raui, Ben Atiga, Benson Stanley, Atieli Pakalani, Gareth Anscombe, Toby Morland, Peter Saili, Sean Polwart, Chris Lowrey, Liaki Moli, Kurtis Haiu, Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Angus Ta'avao, Steven Luatua, Onosa'i Auva'a, Auvasa Faleali'i, Matt Berquist, Winston Stanley.
WAIKATO: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Save Tokula, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Trent Renata, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow; 8 Alex Bradley, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Romana Graham, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Nathan White (capt), 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Toby Smith. Reserves: Hikairo Forbes, 17 Ben May, 18 Kent Fife, 19 Zak Hohneck, 20 Malcolm Barnes, 21 Christian Lealiifano, 22 Henry Speight.
I'm really looking forward to the game, as these are probably the two form teams in ITM Cup. I see Waikato having a slight advantage up front, with Smith and de Malmanche in great form. The locks are reasonably evenly matched, though I really do rate young Moli from Auckland. The loose-forward trio's look evenly matched - I'm looking forward to seeing how young Polwart goes for Auckland, as he's been in great form in recent weeks, and may be pushing for a Blues contract.
Waikato will benefit in having Kerr-Barlow back in the starting lineup, and I can see them having a slight advantage in the halves (though Anscombe does look very promising). I see the midfield as relatively evenly matches, but think Waikato has a noticeable advantage out wide - even with a slightly overweight and unfit Sivivatu.
Overall I'm picking Waikato to win by 10 points.
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