The revised supporter tactics devised by @Stockcar86 and myself were never put to the test such was the whirlwind start made by the Magpies which saw us up by about thirty within fifteen or twenty minutes and the game was well and truly over by then. They were well thought out and would have worked a treat but as they say we kept out powder dry for later use. About twenty or thirty 'Poo supporters were made the error of taking up seats nearby but we were very magnanimous about things, even going so far as offering them our congratulations when they got off zero. We generally left them alone to suffer in their teams ineptness with no need for us to inflict further torment onto their team!
The visitors did offer a bit of resistance after the initial onslaught as witnessed by keeping the score to a mere fifty when @Donsteppa so wisely pointed out earlier that a century looked a real possibility. It might well have been but we lost track of the number of tries called back for disputed reasons. All in all it was a game that lacked something, the close exciting finishes we have come to expect at McLean Park this season but considering it was against the 'Poo we can live quite comfortably with that!

That defence was about as soft as you would ever see

I can't remember the Magpies fielding the same team, this season. Injuries have had a lot to do with that - Godfrey and (I think) Ili are the next in the injury ward - but I don't think Flanders and Fakatava are injured. Why would you even rotatate them? I doubt they need a rest. And why would you even consider giving Sam Smith another start? Do we even get to see Cooper Flanders making his debut, this season? What a waste.

@Steven-Harris I’m picking him to be the final Canes halfback signing for next year. He was with the squad for most of the year last year so hopefully it’s just a case of going through the motions to get his signature over the line.

Not to forget McClutchie, who has been outstanding, too.

@frugby a Roigard / Vijoen 1-2 punch down the track would be pretty handy. I assume Perenara will be the back-up next year though.

@Steven-Harris said in Hawkes v Manawatu:

@frugby totally agree, personally i think Hotham is a bit overated , has played with good packs at HBH , Ta$man and the Saders , has looked vunerable when the pack is not going so well , to give Jordi his dues he looks good in a Turbos team which is saying something ,good defender as well , looks fearless

Hotham possibly just doesn't quite suit the traditional NZ style of game. Akin a little bit to TJ, a little bigger and slower compared to a Smith, which just means he is not always as present at the ruck. Would probably go really well with the Boks for example (though obviously they have the good pack).

@Steven-Harris said in Hawkes v Manawatu:

That defence was about as soft as you would ever see

Good game for our awful for and against.

Haha what a terrible start

Bit of a harsh yellow on first viewing.

Edit: Looks fair on second viewing.

@Duluth said in Hawkes v Manawatu:

@Nepia said in Hawkes v Manawatu:

In other years I'd feel comfortable, but not this year.

I think you’ll be ok

I'm not comfortable, Tiatia is on the field.

Jordi Viljoen is the closest thing to Aaron Smith coming through , the length and speed of the pass is outstanding ..

@Steven-Harris said in Hawkes v Manawatu:

Jordi Viljoen is the closest thing to Aaron Smith coming through , the length and speed of the pass is outstanding ..

Accuracy could be worked on, but the raw skills are certainly there.

@frugby only 19 plenty of time , theres a lot of similarities to Smith at the same age

@Steven-Harris Absolutely. Thought the U20s weirdly looked better with him than Hotham a lot of the time.