The Magpies break a 38 year hoodoo, victory over Canterbury

[Whatever]

Well played Southland. And they just did Hawkes Bay a big favour, top of table by 1 point and Otago have Tasman next week.

For the winner of the Champ, is it straight promotion? (First time I've had the time to follow it for many years, thanks Covid).

[True Blue]

What's going on with Canterbury this year? Looking in danger of getting relegated if they keep this up.

I believe that would make Auckland the only union to never get relegated if that happens.

[BBB]

HB starting the game tomorrow with Toala and McClutchie on the bench? Strange.

[UncleFB]

HB starting the game tomorrow with Toala and McClutchie on the bench? Strange.

Seems idiotic!

[UncleFB]

Magpies retain the Shield for the year and beat the home province of the Super franchise that doesn't select most of the Hawkes Bay players.

Game of two halves, Magpies dominated the first and Wellington dominated the second.

Final score 34 - 18 to the Magpies.

[BBB]

Great first half by HB which pretty much settled the result by halftime.

My fears about Makene were well off the mark.

WTF was Sonas deal?

Still holding a grudge from 13 years ago?

[UncleFB]

Great first half by HB which pretty much settled the result by halftime.

My fears about Makene were well off the mark.

WTF was Sonas deal?

Still holding a grudge from 13 years ago?

I actually thought Sona played a good role, Wellington were on top and he niggled them that last 15.

[BBB]

Good point.

Probably more like 17 minutes though,as it carried on for a couple minutes after the final whistle.

[UncleFB]

Good point.

Probably more like 17 minutes though,as it carried on for a couple minutes after the final whistle.

Funny how the young fulla Fakatava was the one to calm him down - I guess they could have the conversation in Tongan.

[Magpie26]

Well that was some performance by the Magpies, especially the first half.

Did not see that coming, thought we had a battlers outside chance but to do it with such style was very impressive!

[BBB]

HB 59 Taranaki 23

Taranaki were looking really good after 20 minutes.

Northland will be a far harder proposition next week in the final.

[UncleFB]

HB 59 Taranaki 23

Taranaki we’re looking good in that first 20 minutes.

Northland will be a far harder proposition next week in the final.

Ash Dixon with a hattrick. Fakatava easy MoTM, he was on fire.

[Jeff the Bear]

HB 59 Taranaki 23

Taranaki were looking really good after 20 minutes.

Northland will be a far harder proposition next week in the final.

Well indeed...we're going to fuck your shit up!!!

[BBB]

HB 59 Taranaki 23

Taranaki were looking really good after 20 minutes.

Northland will be a far harder proposition next week in the final.

Well indeed...we're going to fuck your shit up!!!

HB by 12,in a far closer game.

[Salient]

HB 59 Taranaki 23

Taranaki were looking really good after 20 minutes.

Northland will be a far harder proposition next week in the final.

Well indeed...we're going to fuck your shit up!!!

To be honest Northland couldn't fudge up the Naki under 13 chick team

Should be a good game assuming the Northland ladies actually come out of the sheds and don't do a Saffa on us.

[BBB]

Northland will try and get physical with HB early I reckon.

[BBB]

FFS.
Kurt Baker

[BBB]

17 all at halftime.

3 tries a piece.

HB have blown a couple.

[UncleFB]

FFS.
Kurt Baker

FFS, he's been an import up there with Marvin Karawana and that Aussie league dude whose name I can't remember.

Old and slow ... and brainless.

[BBB]

FFS.
Kurt Baker

FFS, he's been an import up there with Marvin Karawana and that Aussie league dude whose name I can't remember.

Old and slow ... and brainless.

Luke Rooney.

One of the commentator called Baker an “experienced,calm head” pre game.

[BBB]

14 unanswered points by HB.

[UncleFB]

FFS.
Kurt Baker

FFS, he's been an import up there with Marvin Karawana and that Aussie league dude whose name I can't remember.

Old and slow ... and brainless.

Luke Rooney.

One of the commentator called Baker an “experienced,calm head” pre game.

Yep, that's right Rooney.

Also, commentators should not drink before matches.

[BBB]

Ash scores to make up for the one he had ruled out.

How good is Fakatava?

Can’t wait to see him play for the Pasifika team next week.

[UncleFB]

Ash scores to make up for the one he had ruled out.

How good is Fakatava?

Can’t wait to see him play for the Pasifika team next week.

Not good enough for the Canes to want him ....

[BBB]

50/50 that call.

[BBB]

36-24 to HB

Been a good year for us with retaining the Shield as well.

[Whatever]

36-24 to HB

Been a good year for us with retaining the Shield as well.

Great year, with many youngsters who are going to get better.

So will they actually get promoted or are NZR really likely to change the competition format?

I hope next year they give some of the smaller, heartland unions a crack at the shield before the comp, maybe even take it 'on tour'; the likes of Poverty Bay, East Coast, Wairarapa etc. Would be good for those unions

[Salient]

36-24 to HB

Been a good year for us with retaining the Shield as well.

Great year, with many youngsters who are going to get better.

So will they actually get promoted or are NZR really likely to change the competition format?

I hope next year they give some of the smaller, heartland unions a crack at the shield before the comp, maybe even take it 'on tour'; the likes of Poverty Bay, East Coast, Wairarapa etc. Would be good for those unions

I'm hearing a mooted split into North and South conferences, as that really worked for Super The NZR making every winning post a losing proposition. Hopefully the Unions collectively kicked this one to the gutter.

Great year for the Magpies Bring on 2021

[Whatever]

36-24 to HB

Been a good year for us with retaining the Shield as well.

Great year, with many youngsters who are going to get better.

So will they actually get promoted or are NZR really likely to change the competition format?

I hope next year they give some of the smaller, heartland unions a crack at the shield before the comp, maybe even take it 'on tour'; the likes of Poverty Bay, East Coast, Wairarapa etc. Would be good for those unions

I'm hearing a mooted split into North and South conferences, as that really worked for Super The NZR making every winning post a losing proposition. Hopefully the Unions collectively kicked this one to the gutter.

Great year for the Magpies Bring on 2021

Really? Only 4 of the 14 teams are from the South Island, so theirs would be a short competition. Unless Canterbury fields about 4 teams.

First time I've had the time to watch all the Mitre10, and enjoyed it. It ain't broken, no need to break it.

[True Blue]

My understanding is that the lower North Island will be part of the Southern Conference. Guessing probably Northland, Auckland, Waikato, BoP, Counties, Shit Harbour, and Hawkes Bay (or Taranaki) are part of the north.

[Salient]

My understanding is that the lower North Island will be part of the Southern Conference. Guessing probably Northland, Auckland, Waikato, BoP, Counties, Shit Harbour, and Hawkes Bay (or Taranaki) are part of the north.

Yeap North Island teams playing in the Southern Conference.

Have a vague memory that this might have happened in the past, though could be wrong.

Apparently comes down to finances, not seeing the savings myself, if a North Island team needs to fly to the South Island and we are talking cross conference games, then where exactly are we saving a buck?