ITM Cup - Round 3

[Darwin]

Round three of the ITM Cup kicks off on Thursday night with Bay of Plenty hosting Otago in Rotorua. Round three features a full seven matches, with Wellington hosting Southland in the final match of the round on Sunday.


Round 3 Fixtures

Thursday 30th August:

Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua. 7.35pm.
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Friday 31st August:

McLean Park, Napier. 7.35pm.
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Saturday 1st September:

AMI Stadium (Addington), Christchurch. 2.35pm.

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton. 5.35pm.

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth. 7.35pm.
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Sunday 2nd September:

Eden Park, Auckland. 2.35pm.

Westpac Stadium, Wellington. 4.35pm.

​

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

BOP
Counties
Canterbury
Waikato
Taranaki
Auckland
Wellington

 

[Shaggy]

I can't wait for Tasman's Ranfurly Shield challenge ... hopefully they can continue their good form against Taranaki

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Otago team to play BOP

1. Tama Tuirirangi
2. Sam Anderson-Heather
3. Aki Seiuli
4. Paul Grant (C)
5. Rob Verbarkel
6. Adam Thomson
7. Hugh Blake
8. Gareth Evans
9. Fumiaki Tanaka
10. Hayden Parker
11. Buxton Popoali'i
12. Glenn Dickson
13. Tamati Ellison
14. Jayden Spence
15. Ben Smith
Replacements
16. Liam Coltman
17. Shota Horie
18. Tom Franklin
19. TJ Ioane
20. Brad Weber
21. Peter Breen
22. Tony Ensor


all three big guns playing

 

[Darwin]

Bay of Plenty: Kendrick Lynn, Lelia Masaga, Mafi Kefu, Phil Burleigh, Lance MacDonald, Chris Noakes or Nick McCashin, Jamie Nutbrown (captain), Luke Braid, Sam Cane, Tanerau Latimer, Culum Retallick, Leon Power, Mike Kainga, Dan Perrin, Tristan Moran.
Reserves: John Pareanga, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Keepa Mewett, Carl Axtens, Lewis Hancock, McCashin or Simon Rolleston, Jack Wilson.

Pretty good team for BOP - Otago will be hard pressed to match the loose trio of Latimer, Cane, and Luke Braid! BOP aren't that strong up front, but I think they will dominate at the scrum, and possibly the lineout unless the Otago throwers have learned how to throw this week. A lot will depend on whether Chris Noakes is passed fit or not - if he is unavailable I think Otago have a great chance of pulling off the upset.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I thought Brodie was released? Obviously not...

 

[admartian]

Would love for the Bay to take out Counties after the loss to Auckland.

 

[Hinato]

Otago team to play BOP

1. Tama Tuirirangi
2. Sam Anderson-Heather
3. Aki Seiuli
4. Paul Grant (C)
5. Rob Verbarkel
6. Adam Thomson
7. Hugh Blake
8. Gareth Evans
9. Fumiaki Tanaka
10. Hayden Parker
11. Buxton Popoali'i
12. Glenn Dickson
13. Tamati Ellison
14. Jayden Spence
15. Ben Smith
Replacements
16. Liam Coltman
17. Shota Horie
18. Tom Franklin
19. TJ Ioane
20. Brad Weber
21. Peter Breen
22. Tony Ensor


all three big guns playing

Tanaka holder. Horie which should make his first appearance in ITM Cup second-half. Hoping for a great game of international Japanese.

 

[dudeabides]

Go Turbos, time to even things up!

 

[Darwin]

Noakes ruled out for BOP, which is great news for Otago. It should be a pretty expansive game - Masaga vs Popoali'i on the wing will be great to watch!

 

[dudeabides]

What a game this is, huh? Hawke's bay leading by 7 with about 5 to go, and I'd say more but don't want to miss another try could happen again any second now.

 

[Darwin]

Yep, a very tight game - Counties had a big lead before Lemalu got sent off. Only 2 mins left, but you wouldn't rule out Counties scoring....

 

[Draggs]

Anybody going to watch Canterbury v Harbour tonight?
Its on at a decent time so I might give it a watch.

 

[Darwin]

Anybody going to watch Canterbury v Harbour tonight?
Its on at a decent time so I might give it a watch.

I might watch a bit of it - I've got some painting to do, but should hopefully have the first coat done by then (if I stop wasting time on here and get started!). I would expect Canterbury to win comfortably, but I do like watching North Harbour, as you can usually guarantee it will be a high scoring game with them involved!

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Yep, Harbour have pretty electric backs, who aren't exactly the best tacklers!

 

[Draggs]

Turned it on just as Canterbury converted the try. Who scored it?

 

[Darwin]

Turned it on just as Canterbury converted the try. Who scored it?

Fruean apparently..... (I'm sure you have figured this out by now given it is 30 mins since you asked the question.....).

Missed the first half - will watch some of the second half, but it doesn't sound like it has been a great game so far....

 

[Draggs]

Where is my high scoring match Darwin?
Go and score some tries for them.

 

[Darwin]

Where is my high scoring match Darwin?
Go and score some tries for them.

There you go. Good try by me

 

[Draggs]

There you go. Good try by me

Hang on, I thought you were Ben Smith...
Something doesn't seem right.