NPR

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 7:03 am

Gumboot wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 6:54 am Taranaki ahead 11-9 at HT.

Given their territorial advantage, the Naki's lead should be a lot more than that. But Canterbury's defence has been very good.

Can see this ending in late heartbreak for Naki.

Canterbury is a hard enough team to beat, without squandering your meagre chances.

And there we go: Cant make their own pressure pay.

Naki lineout has been a shambles all game.

Kicking that away was the wrong option but bounce saved them.

Right call: make Cant go for the 5 pointer.

Damn!!! I hoped that Naki would take the scrum cause this is the sort of game position that Canterbury often pull out a huge scrum.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 7:42 am Right call: make Cant go for the 5 pointer.

Definitely the right call for the Nakis

Naki defense in the 2H was awesome and looks as if it will win the match for them

But that penalty by Perofeta was not too shabby

I don't think Murray the left wing replacement has touched the ball since he came on.

Naki need to keep Cant in the wide channels now. Touchline conversions will be tough.

Great semi stuff. NPC delivers again.

Yesss!!!

Brilliant tension at the end there. Well done, Naks.

Also pretty much seals me the top spot in the NPC FR barring a miracle.

Interestingly this will be the Naki's second trip to the final, they won their only previous match in 2004.

Hawkes Bay need to do it today to put two unexpected teams into the final Anyone else sick of the top three teams winning year in year out?

SF2 between Wellington and Hawke's Bay about to kick off in the capital.

If Wellington wins, they host Taranaki in the Final next week. If Hawke's Bay wins, they travel to New Plymouth.

The Bay scrum looks very strong

Well, since everyone has gone Welly in the FR, this and the final results no longer matter. I am the FR winner

Jethro wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 9:08 pm Interestingly this will be the Naki's second trip to the final, they won their only previous match in 2004.

Hawkes Bay need to do it today to put two unexpected teams into the final Anyone else sick of the top three teams winning year in year out?

When you say top three, you really mean top one?

Anyway, normally I'm one for the underdog and I was loosely a Magpies fan (for no other reason than their colours are the same as my actual team) but
- Welly has played the better rugby.
- and Hawkes really soiled their copy book with their behaviour over the Shield. I actually think their winning the comp would be an insult this season.

BTW, that should have been red for Shields. Almost identical to a head hit by Timani in Pro2 last night and the ref there bottled that one too.

This player safety initiative is fast being watered away.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat Oct 14, 2023 6:36 am BTW, that should have been red for Shields. Almost identical to a head hit by Timani in Pro2 last night and the ref there bottled that one too.

This player safety initiative is fast being watered away.

Definitely should have been a red

Welly probably done here. Can't see how they can get back into this. Bay's physicality has been superb and too much for the home team.

Love's passing and kicking have been really poor under pressure.

Jethro wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 9:08 pm Interestingly this will be the Naki's second trip to the final, they won their only previous match in 2004.

Hawkes Bay need to do it today to put two unexpected teams into the final Anyone else sick of the top three teams winning year in year out?

Well, your wish is reality

Good comeback by the Lions, but the Magpies hang on to win it 25-24.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat Oct 14, 2023 7:39 am

Jethro wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 9:08 pm Interestingly this will be the Naki's second trip to the final, they won their only previous match in 2004.

Hawkes Bay need to do it today to put two unexpected teams into the final Anyone else sick of the top three teams winning year in year out?

Well, your wish is reality

Win for the minor provinces Should be a shoot in the arm for the teams outside the four main pop centers.

Jethro wrote: Sun Oct 15, 2023 2:14 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat Oct 14, 2023 7:39 am

Jethro wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 9:08 pm Interestingly this will be the Naki's second trip to the final, they won their only previous match in 2004.

Hawkes Bay need to do it today to put two unexpected teams into the final Anyone else sick of the top three teams winning year in year out?

Well, your wish is reality

Win for the minor provinces Should be a shoot in the arm for the teams outside the four main pop centers.

Said before, not necessarily vintage rugby this year but the tightest comp I can recall. Will miss my early Fri and Sat morning viewings after next week.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sun Oct 15, 2023 6:20 am

Jethro wrote: Sun Oct 15, 2023 2:14 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat Oct 14, 2023 7:39 am
Well, your wish is reality

Win for the minor provinces Should be a shoot in the arm for the teams outside the four main pop centers.

Said before, not necessarily vintage rugby this year but the tightest comp I can recall. Will miss my early Fri and Sat morning viewings after next week.

I posted somewhere on here that the Magpies are not as strong as they have been in previous years, our backline isn't sending anyone nightmares for example, but looks like average forward orientated rugby is the trick this season. Still final should be good, unfort we're off to an open home during game time, cause Mrs J is hell bent on extra bedrooms with the return of a couple of the kids .... and wanting to cut down on her commute to work.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sun Oct 15, 2023 6:20 am Said before, not necessarily vintage rugby this year but the tightest comp I can recall. Will miss my early Fri and Sat morning viewings after next week.

Jethro wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2023 11:52 pmI posted somewhere on here that the Magpies are not as strong as they have been in previous years, our backline isn't sending anyone nightmares for example, but looks like average forward orientated rugby is the trick this season. Still final should be good, unfort we're off to an open home during game time, cause Mrs J is hell bent on extra bedrooms with the return of a couple of the kids .... and wanting to cut down on her commute to work.

Yep, things could've ended very differently for the Magpies, but for a number of dramatic come-back wins to start their season:

Week 1: 23-21 v NH
Week 2: 25-24 v Counties
Week 3: 35-32 v Waikato
Week 4: 33-32 v Otago

NPC Final between Taranaki and Hawke's Bay just about to kick off...

22mins in and Naki leading 12 - 7

I have to put in a strong commendation to the ground crew for the absolutely beautiful condition of the turf in what is essentially the final game of the season. It is stunning.

Amazing stat there: HB have not won on this side of the island since 1972.

Yesss!

Taranaki wins the NPC 22-19.

Kiwias wrote: Sat Oct 21, 2023 1:41 am Amazing stat there: HB have not won on this side of the island since 1972.

Wow did not know that, probably worried about the team bus getting stolen and having to walk home.

Congrats to the Naki, deserved win, HB need some venom in their backline next season, wonder if Jordie looking for a move