Waikato vs. Bay of Plenty - Aftermath

Waikato seemed destined to have a tough season. A defeat to Southland, a close victory over Manawatu, a hiding of epic proportions to Canterbury and now defeat to our Chiefs franchise partners the 'mighty' Bay of Plenty Steamers. The game today at Bay Park Stadium (which is a converted Speedway track, with no big screen) was another lost opportunity which save for Counties Manukau will see Waikato proping up the bottom of the table.

What went wrong? We were beaten in the breakdown by a hungry steams pack. Mike Delaney was devasting with his kicking, including a penalty that he struck from half way. We made crucial handling errors and the Waikato line out is a shambles. As we have said for much of the season Callum Bruce operating from first five does not seem to have the quality required. His goal kicking again was poor.

What about the referee? Again crucial decisions at crucila times went against us. At one point when the Bay of Plenty lead was still only seven points at the 70 minute mark the referee called advantage to Waikato, then allowed Bay of Plenty to receive a penalty immediatley afterwards. That allowed Bay of Plenty an easy penatly to take a ten point lead. Where o where Bryce Lawrence was the advantage in that?

What positives can we take from the game? The backs at points looked sharp for a change. Liam Messam made some good meters but too often was let down by support play

Where to next for the Mooloo Men? Our next game at Counties Manukau should see us move off the bottom of the table. There's surely no chance of us losing that. Following that we play our bogey team of the last two seasons Hawkes Bay at home. Vital games where we need to take full advantge and gain bonus points.

What's Wrong with the Air New Zealand Cup?

1 - The top four teams are not automatically relegated. No decision on this will be made until after the competition closes. A complex formula is being devised to determine the four teams to go down. In a nutshell even if Auckland finishes dead last this year, as would appear certain, they wont go down based on player base, economic criteria and past records. Goodbye then to Manawatu, Counties Manukau, Northland and Tasman.
2 - Bay of Plenty lead the competition. Nothing more likely to undermine the credibility of a competition by having struggling teams at the wrong end of the competition. The Bay who are without a coach, who have a poor ground (more about that in our match report), and some dubious fans, are currently the best team in the county? Come on!
3 - TMO's are not in place as a cost cutting measure. Utterly ridiculous. Crucial decisions are going missing, errors are blighting the competition and the NZRU did it to save a few bucks.
4 - Not all teams are at full strength - Wellington will not play their All Blacks as its been disruptive to their team. Daniel Carter, supreme mincer departs for the All Blacks. Most of the Waikato back line are called up for All Black duty and not released...
5 - Thursday night rugby - this is just shit.

Waikato Vs. Canterbury 2009 - Match Prediciton

The Prediction: Lets not beat around the bush. Canterbury have a win against Auckland last week and an opening round loss to North Harbour. Both unconvincing. Waikato has a lost to one of the unbeaten teams, ahem - Southland, and a scrappy win against Manawatu. The NZ TAB (betting agency) says that we have no chance. We are loyal, die hard supporters but surely if there was one game this year we'd struggle. Therefore we've gone for a draw.
The Opposition: 2008 Champions Canterbury. Larry the Lamb is the the mascot. Notable players include one 'D Carter' winning of the 2009 Supreme Mincer Award from this site.
Mooloo Money: Following our Liam Messam strike last week we're currently at $50 in credit were putting it all on Tim Mikkelson, Waikato winger and sevens player to score a try at $3.00. It should be an open flowing game, we'll have the match report tomorrow.

Waikato Vs. Canterbury 2009 - Latest Odds

Winning Team & Margin - Canterbury v Waikato
1 Canterbury by 13 & Over $2.25
2 Canterbury by 12 & Under $2.70
3 Draw $30.00
4 Waikato by 12 & Under $4.50
5 Waikato by 13 & Over $10.00
Canterbury v Waikato
1 Canterbury/Canterbury $1.67
2 Canterbury/Waikato $9.00
3 Waikato/Canterbury $6.25
4 Waikato/Waikato $5.00
5 Draw Half &/Or Full Time $9.50
Canterbury v Waikato
1 Canterbury -10.5 $2.00
2 Canterbury -8.5 $1.87
3 Waikato +8.5 $1.87
4 Waikato +6.5 $2.00

Waikato Vs. Canterbury 2009

Waikato takes on Canterbury in week three of the Air New Zealand Cup at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Friday 14 August. Kick off is 7.35pm.

The Waikato team is:

1. Hikairo Forbes
2. Aled de Malmanche
3. Ben May
4. Romana Graham
5. Toby Lynn
6. Jordan Smiler
7. Jack Lam
8. Liam Messam
9. Brendon Leonard
10. Sam Christie
11. Dwayne Sweeney
12. Callum Bruce
13. Roimata Hansell-Pune
14. Tim Mikkelson
15. Sosene Anesi

Reserves:
16. Ole Avei
17. Nathan White
18. Kevin O'Neill
19. Ray Allen
20. David Bason
21. Trent Renata
22. Save Tokula.

TAB Odds for Air New Zealand Cup 2009

Tournament Winner - 2009 Air NZ Cup - New Zealand Closes 19:35 on 13 Aug 2009
1 Canterbury $3.25
2 Wellington $3.00
3 Auckland $12.00
4 Waikato $8.00
5 Hawkes Bay $6.50
6 Bay of Plenty $25.00
7 North Harbour $25.00
8 Southland $10.00
9 Otago $30.00
10 Taranaki $40.00
11 Northland $80.00
12 Tasman $200.00
13 Counties Manukau $500.00
14 Manawatu $200.00

Sitiveni Sivivatu Signs with WRU until 2011

12th August 2009 12:59PM

The Waikato Rugby Union is pleased to announce that speedster Sitiveni Sivivatu re-signed with the Union yesterday.

Sivivatu is one of a number of key players who have recently re-signed with the WRU. Others include centre Richard Kahui, first five-eighth Stephen Donald, loose forward Liam Messam, hooker Aled de Malmanche and locks Toby Lynn and Romana Graham. Earlier in the year the WRU also re-signed fullback Mils Muliaina.

All of the above mentioned players have signed contracts until the end of 2011.

Waikato Rugby Union Chief Executive Graham Bowen said: "it is great news for our province to have key players staying in the region. We are a provincial union that prides itself on nurturing its players and progressing their rugby careers to the highest levels."

"This group of players is critical to Waikato rugby, the Chiefs and the New Zealand Rugby Union. It is pleasing to see a number of them having come through the Waikato academy and talent identification programmes."

[Sourced from Mooloo.co.nz]

Round 2 - Air New Zealand Cup Highlights