Wow, it's a Waihi Warm Up Weekend: Chiefs v Blues

[Lizard]

I'm off to the Chief's warm-up match in Waihi this afternoon. For those of you unfamiliar with the Waihi Athletic Rugby Club, it looks like this:



Unsurprisingly, it's sold out possibly for the first time. I'm not sure how much of a crowd is drawn by Thames Valley Senior B competition final, which Waihi won last year.

I hope the Chiefs put in a good showing. Auckland-born, 7 year-old Lizard Junior is starting to realize that it is not entirely logical to blindly support a team merely because his Dad lived in their home city a quarter of a century ago. If he jumps the fence he'll have to find someone else to buy him supporters' kit, though.

[Lizard]

If you're wondering, that big hole in the background is where Dave Rennie found the franchise once Foster was done with it.

[Lizard]

Chief's squad is, well, all of them:

1. Ryan Coxon
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Reuben O'Neill
4. Laghlan McWhannell
5. Tyler Ardron
6. Mitchell Brown
7. Mitchell Karpik
8. Pita Gus Sowakula
9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
10. Kaleb Trask
11. Shaun Stevenson
12. Tumua Manu
13. Quinn Tupaea
14. Sean Wainui
15. Damian McKenzie

Reserves:
16. Bradley Slater
17. Ollie Norris
18. Ross Geldenhuys
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
20. Lachlan Boshier
21. Lisati Milo-Harris
22. Orbyn Leger
23. Solomon Alaimalo
24. Tiaan Falcon
25. Leroy Carter
26. James Thompson
27. Tupou Vaa'i
28. Aidan Ross
29. Simon Parker
30. Josh Lord
31. Donald Maka
32. Bailyn Sullivan
33. Dylan Nel
34. Robb Cobb
35. Alex Nankivell

Gats rightly thinks D-Mac is a fullback. We will miss Brodie tho.

[cashead]

Probably first half team, second half team and rolling subs.

[Lizard]

Looks that way

[cashead]

So who won, Liz? Who won?

[Lizard]

Game of two halves, possibly due to the distinct slope of the ground. Blues took it in the end. D-Mac made a big difference when he came on 2nd half.

[Puja]

Game of two halves, possibly due to the distinct slope of the ground. Blues took it in the end. D-Mac made a big difference when he came on 2nd half.

Did Marchant play? How'd he look?

Puja

[cashead]

Game of two halves, possibly due to the distinct slope of the ground. Blues took it in the end. D-Mac made a big difference when he came on 2nd half.

Did Marchant play? How'd he look?

Puja

He only got about 20 minutes. He'll probably get more time this coming Friday against the Hurricanes. According to Leon MacDonald, at this stage it's about getting used to match conditions at this time of year down here, but that he's doing quite well.

[Puja]

Game of two halves, possibly due to the distinct slope of the ground. Blues took it in the end. D-Mac made a big difference when he came on 2nd half.

Did Marchant play? How'd he look?

Puja

He only got about 20 minutes. He'll probably get more time this coming Friday against the Hurricanes. According to Leon MacDonald, at this stage it's about getting used to match conditions at this time of year down here, but that he's doing quite well.

He's also just coming back off an injury that kept him out for a month or so, so it probably doesn't hurt to be eased back in. Really intrigued to see what Kiwis make of him (and what he can be made into by NZ as well). He's got such a terrific amount of promise and there is no better place in the world to hone your trade as a 13.

Puja

[zer0]

All I'll say is I'm going to be somewhat miffed if a borderline test level specialist centre gets sidelined for a winger.