Highlanders

tha_mai says...

NORTH v SOUTH 2pm, Sunday Forsyth Barr Stadium Dunedin.

NORTH: Jeffery Toomaga- Allen, Toby Smith, Josh Hohneck, Dane Coles, Tom McCartney, James Broadhurst, Michael Fitzgerald, Filo Paulo, Faifili Levave, Brad Shields, Scott Waldrom, Luke Braid, Brendon Leonard, Alby Mathewson, Andrew Horrell, Hadleigh Parkes, Richard Buckman, Charles Piutau, David Raikuna, Lelia Masaga, Lachie Munro, Robbie Robinson.

SOUTH: Jamie Mackintosh, Chris King, Ma'afu Fia, Jason Rutledge, Quentin MacDonald, Jarrad Hoeata, Tom Donnelly, Culum Retalick, Tim Boys, Scott Fugistaller, Matt Todd, Luke Whitelock, Jimmy Cowan, Willi Heinz, Tom Marshall, Glenn Dickson, Kendrick Lynn, Adam Whitelock, Kade Poki, Buxton Poppali'i, Patrick Osbourne, Kurt Baker.

Posted 01:47 05th June 2012

tha_mai says...

kpe12 - probables/possibles; some Googling and found what I think was the last time this was played, June 2005, on that day 26 players were unavailable due to injury/recuperation, playing in S12 finals (Canterbury/Wellington) or being in NZ Maori or NZ Sevens - so there's the problem, no good having a trial if almost two teams' worth of players can't play, and that won't have changed with Super rugby and so many tests.

A few names from that trial are still active at Super level - from Probables Cowan, Woodcock, Ali Williams, Possibles Conrad Smith, Nonu, Hore. And a rough count another 13 or more in UK/Europe. Class of '05!

Posted 11:11 20th May 2012

tha_mai says...

this is a fundraising match for the financially-troubled Otago Rugby union. Fringe players with the AB squad unavailable and I expect some Super players will want the break and not be available either. The coaches will have have two days and just one training session to prepare their sides. NZ news said Chiefs and Highlanders coaches 'have concerns' about the game and all NZ Super Rugby outfits are keen to protect their leading players. It could be a very low-key affair, far from a genuine N v S game, but good intentions and hope they get a decent crowd.

Way back the N-S matches were effectively All Black trials, in the days before Super rugby.

Posted 13:11 11th May 2012

startledwombat says...

This is an excellent idea as a one-off. There's a lot to be said for top-ranking athletes playing in a way that, just once, doesn't have too much riding on it. Gives them a chance to have some fun.

The problem is if it's too successful and someone tries to make it a regular thing.

"Fun" isn't really a thing that the NZRFU likes to grapple with. I suspect that's why there's no NZ equivalent of the Australian rugby league State of Origin. A NZ North vs South based on players' birthplace would be startling.

Posted 10:46 11th May 2012