The Silver Fern

I spent pretty all my career as a hooker. I was really good actually apart from lacking any size, was really really slow, had no ball skills, was blind without my glasses and was a coward in contact. As you could imagine I hung up my boots very early !

I feel sorry for you guys as I know how you feel. Bay of Plenty have been in that exact same position many, many times. One thing that is showing in Bay of Plenty Rugby this year is the quality of players we now have. Put simply, that is the basic ingredient for any team. We seems to have a nice mix of experience and emerging talent which is the result of many things :- (1) Our academy seems to finally be producing the talent which it never did for years. Narawa is a prime example. (2) We have made some good player purchases (3) The core of the team have been around for a few years and have grown into their roles. Obviously coaching, injuries and team culture are also important but at the end of the day player quality is the basic ingredient for success.

Apparently the team is announced tomorrow and I'm guessing its widely known in rugby circles who is selected. Given photos from social media and who was listed in yesterdays pre season game we could already make a guess for all its worth .

Hookers :- Ekland
Rangi
Souchon
I assume Kurty will be back and Souchon and Rangi played yesterday. Souchon has been around the team for a while and Anaru Rangi ,I'm guessing, is a new signing. Apparently he is NZ born and spent the last few years playing for The Rebels in Super rugby.

Props :- Ross
Kumeroa
Mafileo
Tosi
Thwaites
Bartlett
Hetet
Not 100% sure on this one. Thwaites and Hetet (from last year) never played yesterday being replaced by Matt Wallace. Wallace is 37 and played NPC many years ago so I'm unsure if he was just a fill-in.

Locks :- Ah Kuoi
Selby Rickett
Sangster
All playing well.

Loose Forwards :- Cane
Norris
Kapelli
Broughton
Collier
Lasaqa
Karpik
Karpik didn't play yesterday either but have been told he's been seen about so fingers crossed.

Halfbacks :- T.T.T.
Dobie
Donaldson
Dobie (the Scottish international) is a class act and will be a great acquisition.

Inside backs :- Cashmore
Trask
Hawera
Trask is now the elder statesman I guess but Cashmore looks better every time I see him play. Hawera has had stints a for Waikato, Southland and the Brumbies

Outside backs ;- Finau
Lalomilo
Narawa
Haugh
Kaka
Lasaqa
Walton
Quite a few selection unknowns here also and I'm assuming one or two additions to this area also. Joey Walton was an Australian age group player whose been playing for the Warratahs. He looked good yesterday.

Okay , has anyone got any other additions or found mistakes that I've made. Last year they announced a wider training group also who were called on for injuries. Does anyone know much about Jericho Yorke, Axil Hohneck and Seamous Bardoul ? They all played yesterday so maybe are in the team but I know little about them.

And finally does anyone know of any injuries ? Someone went off with what looked like a bad arm injury and Triple T played half a game on the wing so I'm assuming theres some.

Bunnings Warehouse NPC and Heartland Championship Update

The Bunnings Warehouse NPC match between Bay of Plenty and Northland, scheduled to be played at Tauranga Domain at 2.05pm this Sunday, will be postponed.

After consulting with their playing groups, both unions agreed it did not feel appropriate to play on the day of Sean Wainui’s tangi.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is working with the Bay of Plenty and Northland unions to reschedule the match, which had been scheduled to be played and will announce details in due course.

Additionally, as a sign of respect to Sean and his whānau NZR have asked the rugby community to come together to acknowledge Sean’s life prior to all Bunnings Warehouse NPC and Heartland Championship matches this weekend.

Players, coaches, managers and match officials will be wearing black armbands and Sean will also be acknowledged via a special tribute and moment's silence prior to each match this weekend.

Okay, we are halfway through the competition and I'm curious to know where we could possibly finish. Here's some rough guesses as to what the future results will be :-

Bay of Plenty.
Lose to Taranaki. Beat Northland, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Southland. Total extra points 16.

Taranaki.
Lose to Waikato and Auckland. Beat Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and Southland. Total extra points 12.

Hawkes Bay.
Lose to Waikato, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and Ta$man.
Total extra point 0.

Otago.
Lose to Wellington, North Harbour, Waikato and Canterbury. Beat Northland.
Total extra points 4.

This obviously does not include bonus points which could totally change things.

Anyway if we add these extra points to those already won the final points would read :-

Bay of Plenty 32
Taranaki 26
Hawkes Bay 23
Otago 19

I'm totally aware that this is just "pie in the sky" stuff and I'm often wrong (almost always). What it does show however is that it is still anyone's competition to win and one upset could decide the final winners or one result could change the final standings. (Hawkes Bay could beat us which would leapfrog them to second but we would remain on top.) It will be fascinating.

I know my predictions will be scoffed at by many (particularly those from Hawkes Bay). I know The TAB predict Taranaki to end above us on the table and they are more often than not right.. What I would like to know is "How far out am I ? "

My thoughts:-

1. Shame on you Rotorua for not coming out in numbers to the semi and the final. Those games were high profile and the weather came to the party so there really wasn't to many excuses for the poor attendance. I'm sure if those games were played in Tauranga there would have been almost double the crowd. I see the topic of a Tauranga stadium is appearing in the media again.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=12277572

2. While it wasn't a flash game, it was enthralling, probably because it was a final and close. The Manawatu semi, while being a spectacle, just wasn't as captivating for me... mainly because it was so one sided. I'm a hard man to please I guess even if I aged 10 years during last nights game.

3. I haven't seen the game on TV but, at the ground , the game plan seemed odd. Too much kicking (especially in the first half) and not enough use of the strike power out wide.

4. Good on them for holding out at the end ! Past teams perhaps wouldn't have.

5. I guess we will have to start wondering who will be back next year (and who won't) and who will move to the province. If the rumours are true (and I'm not saying they are) we will be getting Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi for next year which is interesting.

6. Given that we beat three Premier teams and almost beat a couple of others , I think this years team would foot it comfortably in the top division. However we don't know the make up of next years team so things are somewhat uncertain. I think I heard Clayton McMillan say somewhere that it is easier to stay in The Premier Division than it is to get promoted up from the Championship which stands to reason.

7. The Union seems to be in a good position right now with success of age group teams, Development and The Steamers which bodes well for the future.

8. I will miss the NPC .

@Stargazer Excellent reply ! I'm glad you picked up on that deliberate Counties/ Canterbury mistake..

Some thoughts.

Two tries each with Auckland getting two penalties. One Auckland try resulted from Tiatia waiting for a ball from kick off, which was bouncing, to go out of play but it was scooped up by an Aucklander who scored.

A good game for BOP to get before the season proper.

This Auckland side is a pretty decent side boasting Akira Ioane (who is unstoppable with ball in hand), Blake Gibson and Dalton Popalii in the loose forwards as examples.

There were a lot of replacements (Auckland had 12 and BOP had 8).

Many in the BOP team played in different positions at different times during the game.

Le'aupepe, Wardlaw, Latimer, Delany, Robertson and Foketi never played.

I'm not worried at all by the result as BOP should take a lot of learning from the game. Theres plenty to work on...lineouts, tackling and kicking come to mind.

Bring on the real games. I can't wait.

I actually went to this game. I'm not sure what you can read into the result for various reasons. Firstly BOP were without Ah Kuoi, Douglas, Harris, Lalomilo, Narawa, Garland and Tiatia so were definitely not at full strength. Secondly Harbour had 15 reserves . Pretty much all of the first half team were replaced at half time. BOP, by contrast, only had 2 or 3 back reserves which saw half backs playing on the wings and weirdly a lock briefly playing on the wing also for a time. So it wasn't a "normal" game.

BOP lead for the whole game and Harbour scored the final three tries which made the result look a lot closer than it really was. From memory three or four tries were scored by rolling mauls....its becoming increasingly important for teams to learn to execute or combat these as they are a weapon. The Bays set piece was better than Perth which is pleasing but it wasn't dominant .

No one particularly stood out although I'm liking Selby-Ricket....hard working and aggressive. The Bay seems to have pretty handy top group of players but depth could be an issue with injuries.

The Harbour game will give us a better gauge at where we stand.

@Donsteppa Good luck with finding that sort of information from the Union. Would also be interested to know what happened to Tiatia and Laupepe ?

@trooa Great job Trooa. I thought I would give a few other possibilities :-

Lock . I'm pretty sure Tom Franklin will be included somewhere as he has been doing some promotional stuff on the social media.

Flankers. Kapeli was involved a while back but haven't heard much from him lately apart from being involved with the Highlanders.

Half back. Another possibility is this guy who is playing club rugby locally..
https://www.ultimaterugby.com/carlos-price

Centres. This guy is playing local club rugby.
https://www.mako.nz/tasman-Mako$/rupena-parkinson

There are so many unknowns this year with many of the overseas competitions being cancelled and the sevens players involvement. Overall , if most of the names mentioned are available, it will be a pretty capable team. It should be exciting.

Yeah, I'll have to admit I am somewhat miffed. Given how we started the season and the caliber of the teams ahead I gave us little hope and I assumed life would be less stressful with the predicted losses. It was nice to know that there would be no more cursing the ref, no more stomping around the lounge in a rage, no more hiding behind the couch during tense moments and no more vowing never to watch rugby again !! I could comfortably look forward to a sedate cricket season and write off another BOP season.

But the buggers have played well knocking over some decent teams putting us a semi final /relegation race. To make matters worse there now is some justifiable expectation of success So I am resigned to a tense North Harbour game which will probably age me several years.

The team from The BOP Times (subject to change apparently)

1. Aidan Ross (C)
2. Kurt Eklund
3. Jeff Thwaites
4. Stan Van den Hoven
5. Manaaki Selby-Rickit
6. Angus Scott-Young
7. Mitch Karpik
8. Whetukamokamo Douglas
9. Luke Campbell
10. Kaleb Trask
11. Sekuni Tanimo
12. Kaveinga Finau
13. Sean Wainui
14. Onisi Ratave (not cleared to play)
15. Chase Tiatia

Reserves:

16. Nathan Vella
17. Haereiti Hetet
18. Villiami-Pasilio Tosi
19. Justin Sangster
20. Penitoa Finau
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
22. Leroy Carter
23. Emoni Narawa

1. Jordan Lay (1)
2. Nathan Harris (26)
3. James Lay (1)
4. Tom Franklin (2)
5. Keepa Mewett (26) – Captain
6. Hugh Blake (10)
7. Mitchell Karpik (2)
8. Jesse Parete (11)
9. Richard Judd (2)
10. Mike Delany (63) – Vice Captain
11. Joe Webber (2)
12. Terrence Hepetema (9)
13. Lalakai Foketi (20)
14. Monty Ioane (13)
15. Chase Tiatia (16)

Reserves:
16. Liam Polwart (6)
17. Solomona Sakalia (29)
18. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (30)
19. Culum Retallick (104)
20. Troy Callander (13)
21. Henry Stowers (11)
22. Luke Campbell (6)
23. Liam Steel (1)

This could arguably be our toughest game of the playoffs and I see the TAB doesn't give us a chance...They have been wrong on the two earlier games !

The inclusion of Harris and the dropping of Ardron are the main talking points I guess but I'm somewhat surprised as I thought they would be rotating some players more but I suppose that will occur later on.

Okay, work is quiet and I must be bored !

Its probably only a couple of weeks till the naming of the Steamers team and maybe a month till preseason games begin so its time to guess who has/hasn’t made the cut. I’m pretty sure the team will be pretty much known in rugby circles but nothing official via the press or BOPRU so I haven’t a clue. With today’s professional era and High Performance groups and Academies operating I’m sure things have been arranged which is unlike the old days when the team naming was a big deal.

Anyway, as mentioned earlier, a large proportion of last years team are still “about” but I’m in the dark as to who is contracted or available. For want of a better way of doing it lets go through them with each position.

HOOKERS:- Last year there was Harris, O’Reilly, Polwart, Royal and Siataga. Five hookers seemed an overkill at the time but given injuries and Harris being away with the AB’s that number was possibly justified. Royal is apparently playing in Auckland and I’m not sure where O’Reily is so a space is maybe there for someone else.

PROPS:- Last year there was Fisihoi, Lay, Ross, Sakalia, Tala’apilaga and Thwaites. Tala’apilaga is the only one gone apparently and his place seems to have been taken by James Lay (Brother of Jordan)

LOCKS:-Last year there was Callendar, Mewett and Rettalick. Rettalick is the only one who I am uncertain of as the other two are still playing locally. Sooner or latter he will have to hang up his boots but he seems to still be performing creditably so I wouldn’t discount him returning. I’m guessing Le'aupepe might be signed as his heir apparent. As we know Franklin has been signed but his huge workload in Super rugby must be taking a toll..Only having three specialist locks is a surprise but the No.6 usually provides cover.

LOOSE FORWARDS:-Last year we had Parette, Axtens, Cane, Blake, Karpik, Stowers, Smith-Wano and Tupe. Well Tupe is gone and I have no idea what Blake is up to so spaces available here. Ardon (the Canadian) has been signed but I am unsure what season he begins playing for us. Mua or possibly even Mabbet-Stowerby could be long shot for selection.

HALF BACKS:- Last year we had Campbell, Toma and Tipuna. I understood Toma was playing in Europe but I see he is turning out for Te Puna in club rugby recently so who knows! Richard Judd has been signed from Counties so expect changes.

FIRST FIVES:- Last year we had Hollinshead and Haimona. Haimona is the only one left. Hollinshead’s replacement is the most eagerly awaited selection as the first five seems to be taking the blame for our misfiring backs. The young Trask (Son of ex BOP Bruce Trask) seems to be talked about as the next in line and I haven’t watched enough local rugby to know who else is putting their hand up.

SECOND FIVE/CENTRE:- Last year we had Hepetema, Foketi, Nicolas and Stanaway. They are all still about but Liam Steel has been signed so someone will be dropped I assume. Garland from Hawkes Bay is also on the scene.

WINGS:- Last year we had Webber, Ioane and Ware who, as far as I am aware, are still on the scene. It will be interesting if they give Masarewa a chance.

FULL BACKS:- Last year we had Fraser, Te Aute and Tiatia. Fraser has gone and my pick is for Robertson-Wepu to replace him who could also cover for first five.

As you’ve probably guessed, I am just as much in the dark as you guys. I have no doubt there will be new signings and changes to personal yet to be announced.

So now its your turn......What changes need to be made? Who should be cut from last year? Anyone know who else has been performing at club level? Have I missed any players?

Boy ! On paper thats one of the strongest squads THE BAY has listed. I counted 19 with Super rugby experience .

I'm looking forward to Friday !!

Check out the reserve lock.

Bay of Plenty: 1: Aidan Ross 2: Nathan Vella 3: Ross Geldenhuys 4: Aaron Carroll 5: Baden Wardlaw 6: Hugh Blake 7: Ajay Lafaele-Mua 8: Hoani Matenga 9: Richard Judd 10: Kaleb Trask 11: Fa’siu Fuatai 12: Chase Tiatia 13: Mathew Skipwith-Garland 14: Emoni Narawa 15: Cole Forbes
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Tevita Mafileo, Jeff Thwaites, Tom Franklin, Mitchell Karpik, Leroy Carter, Jason Robertson, Joseva Ravouvou

Lock in this Saturday at The Tauranga Domain.

God I love this competition. No game is guaranteed and most teams can test most other teams on their day. The TAB must be counting the cost of their predictions !! There's been so many upsets this year that no team can be taken lightly and that is certainly the case against Manawatu...given their performance against Canterbury as an example. Sure, on paper The Bay should triumph but I wouldn't bet the house on it.

The fight for the all important top of the table (and home semi and possibly home final) between The Bay and The ex Bay is truly fascinating as its so close ! Two wins by BOP would put them on 39. Hawkes Bay should possibly beat Counties (although given their Saturdays performance that is not a certainty) but Ta$man may be more challenging. If Ta$man rest their top players in preparation for the finals, then Hawkes Bay may have a sniff. A win over Counties and a bonus point loss to Ta$man will also put Hawkes Bay on 39 also. Theres so many permutations and bonus points will become seriously important.