2017 Mitre 10 Cup

[rowan]

Wellington 36 Otago 16

A few highlights:

[rowan]

What's going on with the Log these days? Does Wellington have a challenge this year? When was the last time they challenged?

Fun fact: Wellington was the first province to win the Ranfurly Shield.

[rowan]

Wellington was also the first province to take the Log on tour and played all of the other major unions at their home stadiums. This was after WWI and was a marvelous gesture to help the nation get back on its feet. No other province did this in the 20th century, and I'm not sure it's been done since, although there have been rule changes requiring the teams to defend it away from home.

[rowan]

Just spotted this in the Wellington reserves - a Dutchman! This guy has actually played for Holland. Wonder if he got on the pitch for Wellington last weekend...

The Wellington Lions squad to meet is:

15 Trent Renata (Oriental-Rongotai)
14 Tuitama Malo (Oriental-Rongotai)
13 Billy Proctor (Marist St Pats)
12 Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata)
11 Wes Goosen (Old Boys University)
10 Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United)
9 Sheridan Rangihuna (Hutt Old Boys Marist)
8 Thomas Waldrom (Avalon)
7 Du'Plessis Kirifi (Northern United)
6 Vaea Fifita (Wellington)
5 Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke)
4 James Blackwell (Petone)
3 Joel Hintz (Old Boys University)
2 James O’Reilly (Hutt Old Boys Marist)
1 Tolu Fahamokioa (Tawa)

Reserves

16 Asafo Aumua (Avalon)
17 Kaliopasi Uluilakepa (Petone)
18 Alexander Barendregt (Old Boys University)
19 Will Mangos (Old Boys University)
20 Greg Foe (Poneke)
21 Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Tawa)
22 Teariki Ben-Nicholas (Old Boys University)
23 Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata)

[rowan]

Can'terbury is our nemesis on every level

04:05 Finished
Canterbury
27 22 5
Wellington
20 7 13

06:35 Finished
Waikato
28 7 21
North Harbour
29 8 21

[rowan]

Wellington 52 Southland 7 - Lam gets a hat-trick

[rowan]

Great win for Wellington!

04:05 Finished
Tasman
21 14 7
Counties Manukau
19 0 19

06:35 Finished
Manawatu
7 0 7
Wellington
49 25 24

[zer0]

Guess I'll have to be the one to provide the update on Wellington's 24-29 loss at home to Auckland.

[morepork]

That's my bois!

[zer0]

As the fourth placed qualifiers, the bois will be going to Auckland next weekend to take on the first ranked Auckland. Might go to that one if the weather is decent.

Then there's some incestuous South Island stuff going on in the other semifinal with Canterbury and its mini-me.

[J Dory]

Looking forward to the games this weekend, with some trepidation given Northlands recent spanking by Waikato. One can live in hope.

[J Dory]

Liz, fancy a friendly wager for the weekends game? Avatar for the next couple of months perhaps?

[Lizard]

Liz, fancy a friendly wager for the weekends game? Avatar for the next couple of months perhaps?

Head to head, you mean? Or do you expect me to give the Taniwha a head start?

[J Dory]

Liz, fancy a friendly wager for the weekends game? Avatar for the next couple of months perhaps?

Head to head, you mean? Or do you expect me to give the Taniwha a head start?

Head to head.

[Lizard]

You’re on.

I’ll get back to you with an av soon.

[Spy]

That was ace. Great match, great crowd. Terrific heart from Auckland to come back twice. Fantastic last game of the season.

[Spy]

That was ace. Great match, great crowd. Terrific heart from Auckland to come back twice. Fantastic last game of the season.

[Spy]

Steady on the double up. A bit over excited.

[zer0]

I've not been able to watch much of the NPC over the last few years, but that was the best match I've watched in a very long time. And that includes the Tasman and Canterbury matches earlier this season. Just a shame I couldn't make it to Eden Park for the occasion. But, on the other hand, I got the pleasure of hearing Ian Smith wriggle as Auckland ran down the Cantabs over that final 60 minutes.

EDIT: Despite being a bit miffed they duffed the drop goal shot right at the end of regular time, I was surprisingly zen throughout all of over time. Even when the Cantabs scored. It's normally the kind of inner peace I feel only when watching the All Blacks, and not at all what happens when the Blues or Auckland play. Strange.

[canta_brian]

Poo