Horror-canes - The Fever Union thread

I watched club rugby every week for two years, mainly because it was my job, but also because it's top quality. If you get to watch Norths or Ories on a good day they are an absolutel joy to watch. Poneke are pretty boring but the club is always good value. Keep an eye on clubrugby.co.nz as Steve White does a really good job. Names all the teams for the Prem games every Friday morning, normally will be a smattering of Hurricanes around the place.

Yep, well aware of that site. It is really is a great site for an amateur competition.

I'm really interested to see what happens this year, as the normal order of things got all messed with last year (e.g. Poneke going down to Hardham, and Petone almost going down) and HOBM taking the Swindale. I've been a long suffering Tawa supporter, but with winning the Hardham in 2011, and then holding our own in the Jubilee last year, there's a quiet optimism around Lyndhurst this year.

As with most Rugby comps you need a decent 10 to win things and that is Tawas problem, I think. Hadn't realised that Tons had moved to Ories, massive for them. If they get a good season out of him, Aukuso and Curtis they will score plenty of points. Looks like Petone has recruited well and Wainui have kept the core of a good side together. Concern for them would have to be at 10 again.

Tawas biggest advantage ( not really, but we liked to joke about it) is that the Tawa mafia are all in good positions in Wgtn Rugby. CEO, Lions Coach and the manager of Amateur Rugby are all Tawa men and very proud of it.

Will be following it from afar.

Very true. Tawa has been looking for a 10 for the last few seasons. Willy Lafaele played there on Saturday but doesn't really look like the answer. But we can still hope...

Upper Hutt missed Jason Woodward a lot on Sat. Haven't really read up on too many of the other teams, but will also be following with interest.

Kinda was hoping the Horrorcanes would have a poor season, so the Phoenix didn't look so bad. But seems they are fairly decent this season. They will need to sort their defence because they won't be putting 40 points on teams like the Chiefs.

Yeah 4 wins on the trot is pretty decent. Have to admit that I've watched a sum total of about 20 minutes of Super 14 this season. That's what happens when you get rid of Sky...

Hlmphill - another good win for Tawa! Plus I read that James So'oialo is on his way and will play 10. I'll believe that when I see it as I know he has been very close to playing for Tawa the last few season only to have it fall over at the last minute. Following big brother obviously. If they can get James then they should make a good run at the Jubilee Cup.

I know, I was tempted to head up to Wainui, but didn't make it dang it. And can't make the game this week either because of a wedding.

But top of the table, got to be happy about that. Big game this week against Petone which will be a real test of where we're sitting.

Interesting news about JS. I heard that rumour last season but it never happened, so it would be awesome if it did. He's a quality player, I remember seeing him play a few times for Norths. That would definitely help us out heaps.

Sounds like Joe Schmidt has got the Ireland job. He has gone a long way since teaching me English at PNBHS. Really hope it works out well for him.

Tawa still top of Swindale Shield. Watched both games last week, including a last minute derby win over Norths. Oh so sweet!

Turning out to be quite a good season for us. We genuinely look like contenders which is a pretty wierd thought for any long-term Tawa fan.

Turning out to be very apt... still no sight of him.

Tawa is outright top of the table with two weeks remaining in Swindale Shield. You would have got great odds on that at the start of the season. Huge game vs HOBM next week.

Just quietly - kind of looking forward to the Lions test tmr nite...

Just an update here. Tawa has now taken the Swindale Shield & topped the table in the Jubilee. Home semi on Sat vs OBU, and we're a bit worried about Ories who have welcomed back quite a few super 15 players (Savea, Reddish, Proctor) and play HOBM. We have Shaun Treeby from the Highlanders and James So'oialo has finally got his paperwork signed up to play the last few weeks (with some mixed form) but could jet back to Ireland any time.

Pretty excited for this Saturday at Lyndhurst. Great way to fill in the Nix off-season for someone interested in different codes.

Lets Gone Chiefs!

kerbow (or however you spell it) is utter crap tonight

Can't wait to goad Aucklanders next year with my Chiefs fandom.

Must be pretty chuffed, never thought I would see it but great stuff from Tawa!

That was a very good Ories side so to beat them is massive.

Sure Lyndhurst rocked on Sunday night.

Well that was a fair pasting by Wellington against Counties. Anyone thinking of heading along to the final next week? Bandwagon time?

I'm in Chch so won't be going to either unfortunately. Went to a Lions game last week (vs Auckland) and really enjoyed it. Would defo go to the final if I was in Welly.

Fairfax reporting 6993 at the game last night. Makes the 8,200 we got Sunday much more healthy looking.

Man that's a pretty atrocious crowd figure for a semi. Definitely makes our 8k+ look decent.

I see everyone is excited by the start of the Super Rugby season ...

Not sure about the Chief's chance for a 3-peat. Must be time for a SA team to pick the title again.

I'm excited about not having to listen to Justin Marshall, with sky providing an alternative commentary with the ref's mic.

about the rugby though, the canes playoff chances rest on their first two weeks with their South African roadtrip, if they don't win at least one of the two I think there's the potential for it to be a long season. 

Edit: just looked at the prices for the 'canes thought I may pop along to one or two games, but probably not now, cheapest tickets $25 but to get a half decent view it is $40, with the primo seats a massive $55. No student prices either, they really are shooting themselves in the foot.

I reckon the canes will get touched up by the sharks on Sunday.
P.s. Just buy the cheap ticket and move round. Hardly going to be a sell out!

Sharks looked very good last week. With jake white in charge they will be a force to be reckoned with

Sharks would be my comp favourites, if Jake White can take the Brumbies to a final with a pretty rubbish side he may be able to do frightening things with a decent side like the Sharks.

Big win first up for the Chiefs, if they can keep key guys fit and fresh then I think they are a real chance to win it again. They've seemingly built a pretty impressive culture that sees them win games they have no right to win.

Canes will go alright if they can keep key guys fit. They have as a good as backline as anyone and a pretty decent loose-forward trio. Two current All Blacks in the front row. They're a shot, but then again - they always are.

Theres a hurricanes bandwagon??

Hurricanes flag at 1/2 mast at 9am today in Breaker Bay told me the story. 

I picked it! Then again most of the world picked that.
I'm guessing the canes will once again pull or a few wins here and there. Threaten the playoffs but ultimately end up seventh. Again...

Crowds of 10k?

Hammet out

hammet has to go, ripped apart a good team a couple years ago, and this is his 3rd year and if anything we have gone backwards from his first season

Cant stand hammett. Give him the boot. Boys lacked conviction tonight. Its gonna be a long season...

Wow, I went to the game last night, and we really were atrocious. We looked kind of alright for the first 30, but in that middle period there were holes all through our defence, and we had absolutely no clue on attack, generally it ended with an aimless kick that gifted possession back to them.

Can't imagine we'll be a threat to many based on that display.