2017 Super Rugby - Preseason games

Stargazer

@Tim I think they're just testing Samu and Douglas. Obviously, Taufua will start most games, most likely at no. 8 during Read's absence. All the other loosies will fight for the remaining starting spot.

Stargazer

@Bovidae I see that the three injury replacements for Graham, Hoeata and Weber are all in the reserves. Who is the starting hooker? I assume he's there to replace Harris and that Elliot will be the main starter?

Very pleased to see Laulala back in the squad, as well as Bird. Still no Allardice though. Will be interesting how Karpik goes.

Bovidae

@Stargazer Tuake’iaho - he played in the 10s. I saw a bit of him play at schoolboy level for St Paul's. He also played no.8 due to his mobility and ball-carrying.

I'm sure Hika will start vs Highlanders. Liam Polwart must have an injury niggle. Brayden Mitchell is also training with the Chiefs as the temporary replacement for Harris.

Bovidae

I'll add that Tuake’iaho was the 3rd ranked hooker for Waikato last year behind Faiva and Misa. I hope the latter hasn't left as he looked good off the bench.

Chris B.

@Stargazer Cheers. I thought you'd have a fair idea!

Enari playing and Fukofuka not is pretty interesting, because Fukofuka is in the official squad and Enari isn't - though I'm inclined to think Enari is Robertson's man and Fukofuka isn't.

Very interesting to me that he's starting the final trial ahead of Hall and Drummond - especially when a lot of the rest of the starting team is first choice.

Yeah - you'd expect Taufua will play either 6 or 8 in Read's absence - is that a pointer that Samu has the inside running right now (Douglas is another that wasn't an original squad member)?

Todd/Samu/Taufua would be a very short loose trio.

Stargazer

The Waratahs have posted a link to a livestream of tonight's preseason game against the Highlanders on their FB page. It's geo-blocked though ...

This is the link: http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/MatchDay/LiveStream.aspx

The game starts at 8.30pm NZT.

Stargazer

Liam Squire scores in the first minute of the game. Sops misses the conversion. 5 - 0 Highlanders

Stargazer

Naholo, Fekitoa, Aaron Smith, try time! Easy conversion for Sopoaga. 12 - 0 Landers

Stargazer

Waratahs dominate the line-outs.

Stargazer

Surprisingly, Reece Robinson kicks the penalty for the Tahs (15th min): 3 - 12 Landers

Highlanders clearly the better team, but a bit sloppy. Lots of handling errors.

Unite

@Stargazer How is Aaron Smith going?

Stargazer

@Unite Looking good. Best man, so far, Liam Squire. Very busy.

NTA

Try to the Tahs as the Clan 13 comes in off the wing

Crucial

@Stargazer said in 2017 Super Rugby - Preseason games:

@Unite Looking good. Best man, so far, the best, Liam Squire. Very very busy. The best man

Fixed it for you. Gotta get those Trumpisms right.

Stargazer

Good try scored by Harry Jones for the Tahs. Robinson kicks the conversion attempt against the posts: 8-12 Landers

During the first quarter, the Landers were mostly on attack with the Tahs defending. Now, it's the opposite and the Highlanders immediately leak a try. It's going to be interesting, because the Tahs are getting into the game.

NTA

Everyone in Oz got the live stream? Think its region blocked so if you're outside the Great Brown Land I think you're out of luck

http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/MatchDay/LiveStream.aspx

Stargazer

@NTA Mate, I already posted that link.

NTA

Cross kick for Naholo try - just stabs it into the corner.

NTA

@Stargazer said in 2017 Super Rugby - Preseason games:

@NTA Mate, I already posted that link.

Yeah but I can't be arsed reading everyone's comments

Stargazer

Try Naholo in the corner after a good cross-kick from Sops, who converts the try from the sideline: 8-19 Highlanders

The Silver Fern

2017 Super Rugby - Preseason games