SF: Otago v BoP
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This team naming is like the old wedding saying. Something new, something borrowed, something blue and something old.
Borrowed Nic Souchon
New: Finn Hurley
Blue: the jersey
Old: of course Liam Coltman.
Souchon is a big surprise. Even though he was in the stands in Otago kit last weekend
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1 Josh Bartlett, 2 Taine Kolose, 3 Tevita Mafileo, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi (C), 5 Aisake Vakasiuola, 6 Jacob Norris, 7 Veveni Lasaga, 8 Nikora Broughton, 9 Richard Judd, 10 Lucas Cashmore, 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 12 Seamus Bardoul, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14 Kele Lasaqa, 15 Cole Forbes
Reserves: 16 Sione Tupou, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Benet Kumeroa, 19 Semisi Paea, 20 Joe Johnston, 21 Charlie Sinton, 22 Reon Paul, 23 Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
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A fascinating matchup this and the pick of the two semi finals. Quite like how both of these sides play in attack, more so than how my own team does. The Bay have the best attack in the comp in my view.
The weight of expectation seems to be building for Otago.
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@ACT-Crusader years of reality checks dangle over our heads......
last week was one if the big differences from previous years though
- we started strong
- bounced back after going behind
- closed it out whilst under pressure (droppie and clutch penalty)
all things we wouldnt have expected in previous years...let alone all in one game
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@ACT-Crusader said in SF: Otago v BoP:
A fascinating matchup this and the pick of the two semi finals. Quite like how both of these sides play in attack, more so than how my own team does. The Bay have the best attack in the comp in my view.
The weight of expectation seems to be building for Otago.
On 2nd thought we shall go Into this as slight underdogs, BOPs halfback has been playing domestic rugby since 2010. our halfback was only starting Primary School in 2010
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Turns out A One Lolofie and Heath Macewan are injured
Stags hooker joins Otago for NPC semifinal
NPC rules allow teams to draft a front rower if they can state a decent enough case as to why they don’t have a front rower within the province capable of filling the void.
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ODT rugby chat with the two Kaik boys.
6 - 7k Tickets sold.
ODT Rugby Chat: semifinals in the NPC
On our ODT Rugby chat special this week brought to you by Fred's Fencing we are talking semifinals in the NPC, specifically Otago v Bay of Plenty.
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@ARHS said in SF: Otago v BoP:
Starting Judd at halfback will add some leadership back
It's hard to blame Sinton for last week's game. He is still only 18 years old ! And he wasn't that bad, just a bit overwhelmed by the occasion. He's had a very good season so far, that is why he was the starting halfback for a few games.
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@cgrant said in SF: Otago v BoP:
@ARHS said in SF: Otago v BoP:
Starting Judd at halfback will add some leadership back
It's hard to blame Sinton for last week's game. He is still only 18 years old ! And he wasn't that bad, just a bit overwhelmed by the occasion. He's had a very good season so far, that is why he was the starting halfback for a few games.
Err ..? No, I meant just what I said. Bop is short on leaders without Eklund. Ah Kuoi is not an experienced captain. Needs someone experienced and authoritative to boss the forwards and direct the backs. Unfair to expect that of Charlie or Cashmore, but these knockout games require a team to impose their style and game plan on the opposition early on. Judd has a strong box kick and darts well around the ruck. In my eyes BOP is very much a confidence team. I think the selection addresses this. I cringed in the Hawkes Bay match....
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@frugby said in SF: Otago v BoP:
The ODT seems to suggest A-zone is not injured…
I just don't think they properly asked a question. It happens. The NZR policy is pretty strict around bringing in an outside frontrower. Need to not have anyone capable. It has to be considered a H&S issue. Both Lolofie and MacEwan have played first class rugby. It wouldn't be a H&S issue to play them. Going down to the next layer would be bringing in guys who haven't played for several weeks. The next in line would have been the Harbour hooker.
I do rate the intel Logan Savory gets.
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@barky1 said in SF: Otago v BoP:
You'd think they would have had to start Coltman over Souchon
yeah, i have always found that weird, world cup squads someone picks up an niggle and they bring in cover...who then starts ahead of other sin the squad
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The most impressive thing this season for the Steamers compared to the last 2 seasons has been the defence and a desperation to defend the line when called upon.
2023: 38 tries conceded in 11 games (43 scored)
2024: 40 tries conceded in 13 games (60 scored)
2025: 26 tries conceded in 11 games. (49 scored)
