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

Waikato Vs. Manawatu - 2009 Result

Waikato defeated Manawatu 30-22 at Waikato Stadium today. Tries to Liam Messam and Sione Lauki in the first half saw Waikato take a 12-7 lead into half time. In the second half Sam Christie grabbed a try and Soseni Anesi scored his first try in what seemed like forever to seal a bonus point win for the Mooloo's.

Match Review: We led at half time and full time, the forwards looked mostly superior, the backs at times were a little lacking in punch. A half time lead was followed by a victory at full time and an all important bonus points with only three unbeaten teams in a competition lead by Bay of Plenty things are sure to balance themselves out over time. Callum Bruce missed four shots at goal in the first half including one my dead grandmother could have tapped over. There were periods when it looked like Manawatu were dangerous.

Stadium Report: There were 11,500 supporters at this afternoon game. While this sounds great it should be pointed out that it was the Waikato Rugby Club's supporters day and all the juniors from Waikato Rugby got a free ticket.
What it costs us to support Waikato: $13 for admittance to the Green Zone, three Waikato Beers at $5.50 each, a cup of chips for $4.
Total Spend: $33.50.
Red Badge Security at the Stadium - the stars on display:
1) had to radio check our supporters flag as it constituted a security risk.
2) told a patron that they could not take water into the stadium, when the bottle was tipped out and they were asked where it could be filled up they were told "the toilets". This is not actually correct as there are various taps located within the stadium to do this.
Mooloo Money: We collected $70 for our $20 on Liam Messam to score making it $50 up at this point in the season.
Where to from here:
An unconvincing win frankly, with Sione Lauki injured and Callum Bruce desperately needs to improve his kicking. Victory against Canterbury next week seems a long way off...

Waikato Vs. Manawatu - Total Victory!

Nothing short of a bonus point victory tomorrow. No excuses if Waikato wants to be taken seriously. Everything indicates that not only will we win tomorrow, but we have to win tomorrow. We have a full strength team including Brendon Leonard back, who will make a difference. The game will be in the afternoon so there's no problem with a greasy ball - weather forecast is great. All in all it points to the Manawatu Turbo's having a tough time of it. Next year baring miracles of a divine nature or another u-turn from Steve "Benedict Arnold' Tew Manawatu surely will be doomed for relegation down to the first division. This is there swansong in the competition and this makes them somewhat dangerous, we managed to get a 38 draw last year in Palmerston North. But simply tomorrow, in a game we'll be covering in full, including the complete Waikato Stadium experience, there must be total and complete victory.

The Opponents: Take a good look at this individual to your left Waikato Fans - its 'Dangerous' Dave Rennie, you may have seen him on Police Ten - Seven in a wanted case but be warned he is no mug and will be desperate to prove a point. Fan's of the 'Turbo's are famed for wearing a green plastic bucket on their heads. They have an official website for their team which you can click on by doing so here. Palmerston North is the home town, and that loyal readers is a complete crap hole. Ever driven around the square? Enough said...

Waikato Uber Alles Verdict: Sione Lauki back, at virtually full strength. A must win game and a must win with a bonus point game. Home support, afternoon game. It all points to one thing - total Mooloo Victory. Waikato by 13+

Mooloo Money: Currently we're $20 in deficit following our first half/second half double against Southland. This time to make it back were taking $20 on a try to Liam Messam. Our Captain will have a point to prove to those who deserted him and cast him adrift, plus he will want to atone and lead the team to victory after last week.

Waikato Vs. Manawatu 2009

Waikato takes on Manawatu in week two of the Air New Zealand Cup at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday 8 August. Kick off is 2.35pm.

The Waikato team is:

1. Hikairo Forbes
2. Aled de Malmanche
3. Ben May
4. Toby Lynn
5. Romana Graham
6. Liam Messam (captain)
7. Jack Lam
8. Sione Lauaki
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. Kieran Ramage
18. Kent Fife
19. Jordan Smiler
20. David Bason
21. Trent Renata
22. Save Tokula.

Waikato Vs. Manawatu Odds

Waikato v Manawatu - Hamilton Closes 14:35 on 08 Aug 2009
1 Waikato $1.18
2 Manawatu $4.50

Option 73 Winning Team & Margin -
1 Waikato by 13 & Over $1.80
2 Waikato by 12 & Under $2.80
3 Draw $40.00
4 Manawatu by 12 & Under $5.75
5 Manawatu by 13 & Over $15.00

Option 74 Half/Full Time Double -
Waikato v Manawatu -
Hamilton Closes 14:35 on 08 Aug 2009
1 Waikato/Waikato $1.40
2 Waikato/Manawatu $14.00
3 Manawatu/Waikato $6.75
4 Manawatu/Manawatu $6.50
5 Draw Half &/Or Full Time $12.00

Air New Zealand Cup Round 1 Highlights

Updated Air New Zealand Cup Odds

Tournament Winner - 2009 Air NZ Cup - New Zealand Closes 19:35 on 06 Aug 2009
1 Canterbury $3.50
2 Wellington $4.00
3 Auckland $9.00
4 Waikato $7.00
5 Hawkes Bay $4.50
6 Bay of Plenty $25.00
7 North Harbour $16.00
8 Southland $16.00
9 Otago $25.00
10 Taranaki $20.00
11 Northland $150.00
12 Tasman $250.00
13 Counties Manukau $250.00
14 Manawatu $250.00

Auckland drop from third favourite ($4.00) to no-hopers at $9.00... Waikato maintain fourth spot despite the loss to Southland so hopefully better times ahead and whose f&^*king idea is it to place Hawkes Bay at $4.50 after a single game? Surely the TAB jests....

Waikato Vs. Southland 2009 - Aftermath

The Waikato Rugby team have started off 2009 with a defeat, going down 6-16 to Southland in Invercargill. The first loss to Southland since 2003. The game was tied 3-3 at half time, the only try of the second half coming to Southland after 54 minutes to Pehi Te Whare. Callum Bruce scored two penalties to be the leading Waikato points scorer of 2009.

What we thought: The mongrel attacks and smothering defence of Southland, aided by the venue and intimidation, including a night game meant the result was tight and wasn't really decided until five minutes to go when Waikato seemed incapable of breaking the Southland defence. In other related results Canterbury also lost 19-22 to North Harbour and Hawkes Bay lead the competition after thumping Auckland 47-13.

Where we went wrong: Despite plenty of play and ball we couldn't make it count. In the first half we should have score more points than three - and in the end some of the players looked stifled by the Southland defence. Callum Bruce looked out of his depth on numerous occasions.

What about the referee: Completely out of his depth allowing Southland to be offside at practically every opportunity. The absence of the TMO this year while speeding the games up will also mean that many important decisions are missed. There's not going to be many teams to make the trip down South and play in that atmosphere and come away with points.

Where to from here: We absolutely must win against Manawatu and win with authority. Nothing less than a bonus point try and a decent points hall against Manawatu will do. We will be there in force on Saturday for the first home game of the season.

Waikato Uber Alles - Now Open!

Glitter Text Generator

Waikato Vs. Southland - Match Prediction

No this isn't a police wanted poster - although its possible that when Taxi assaulting All Black pictured here needed to be identified maybe this is the picture that they used. So tonight it all begins as the mighty Waikato take on a Southland team in the first game of the Air New Zealand Cup.

The Opponents: The Southland Stags. Mascot is a Stage who ruts supporters in the stands during the game. Home ground is Southland Park - a premium ticket to home games cost $25 to$15 for the terraces. You wouldn't think they'd have the internet in Invercargill but they must do as you can visit their teams site here.

The Waikato Uber Alles Verdict: A dangerous game first up for the Mooloo men - conditions down there are liable to be appalling as the game will take place at 7:35pm New Zealand time and Invercargill is the southern most city in New Zealand - (latitude 46o 42')
the crowd is liable to be drunk, abusive and feral and while in some cities that would probably make you the mayor it means that referee Kane McBride may be placed under huge pressure. Having said all that its simply a game that we must win. The TAB says that we'll win and its important to start the season well. WUA final verdict: Waikato by 13 and Under.
Mooloo Money: $20 on Waikato/Waikato Full and Half Time Double

Waikato Air New Zealand Cup 2009 Predictions - Part 1

Round One - Waikato Vs. Southland (Away). A dangerous opponent to start the competition against in probably one of the two worst venues in New Zealand (Eden Park of course being the other). A night game in possibly sub-zero temperatures against a desperate team who will be hugely concerned with the four team cut from the the first divison.
Waikato Uber Alles Verdict: Waikato Under 13

Round Two - Waikato Vs. Manawatu (Home) A last chance to laugh at the supporters with Buckets on their heads before the Turbo's demise? We think so although few can forget the pain of last years 38-38 all draw. First home game and a afternoon match - perfect conditions if there ever were them. Goodbye Turbo's - hello oblivion.
Waikato Uber Alles Verdict: Waikato By 13 Plus

Round Three - Waikato Vs. Canterbury (Away) Hopefully by this stage Daniel Carters hamstring will have given out again, if not we could be in for a torrid time, although the amount of Canterbury supporters at the game will be in question as it would appear that no-body cares. A tough game on paper if there's ever likely to be one this season.
Waikato Uber Alles Verdict - Draw

Round Four - Waikato Vs. Bay of Plenty (Away). Bragging rights for the Chiefs will not be up for grabs in this game as we all know that without Waikato the Chiefs would amount to nothing, and Bay of Plenty and in the process of sacking their coach, they also have a dreadful stadium for their games which is a converted speedway. And Hori BOP ill fated politically incorrect mascot. Surely if there's a game that will be a one sided punishment its this. Bay of Plenty's last match against Waikato for the forseeable future? Possibly...
Waikato Under Alles Verdict - Waikato by 13 Plus.

Round Five - Waikato Vs. Counties Manukat (Away). Steely Dan - a dildo from a Clockwork Orange and for a long time children and fans of the Steelers had their photo taken with him without the awareness of the shadowy overtones of depravity. And a depraved desperate team on the field surely heading for oblivion. Finacially bankrupt off the field, morally bankrupt on the field, like two desperate partners locked in a dance with out knowing the other will be dumped shortly never to be heard from again.
Waikato Under Alles Verdict - Waikato by 13 Plus.

Round Six - Waikato Vs. Hawkes Bay (Home)
If there's a grudge to settle its with the Magpies. Defeating us for the last two years has been a hard cross to bear and left a bitter taste in the mouth. However these crucial games have been down in Hawkes Bay - where the sheep and livestock are nervous, where the women are of dubious reputation, the beer is poor and its legal to marry your first cousin. Home advantage should surely tip in our favour as we cheer the boys onto victory.
Waikato Under Alles Verdict - Waikato by 13 and Under

Waikato Vs. Southland - Full Teams/Update

Southland: Robbie Robinson, Pehi Te Whare, Kenny Lynn, Jason Kawau, Matt Saunders/Tony Koonwaiyou, James Wilson, Scott Cowan, Hua Tamariki, Tim Boys, John Hardie, Joe Tuineau, Josh Bekhuis, Chris King, David Hall, Jamie Mackintosh (c). Res: Jason Rutledge, Fai Mika, Dave Gannon, Dion Bates, Sonny Rangitoheriri, Tony Koonwaiyou/Seminar Manu, Mark Wells.

Waikato: Sosene Anesi, Tim Mikkelson, Roimata Hansell-Pune, Callum Bruce, Dwayne Sweeney, Sam Christie, David Bason, Liam Messam (c), Jack Lam, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Kent Fife, Toby Lynn, Nathan White, Ole Avei, Ben May. Res: Vern Kamo, Hikairo Forbes, Romana Graham, Jordan Smiler, Josh Sutherland, Trent Renata, Save Tokula.

Referee: Kane McBride.

Kickoff: 7.35pm tonight, Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill.