Canes down Chiefs
5 Feb 2010
Keo.co.za brings you the latest news from New Zealand.
Canes down Chiefs
Hurricanes replacement flank Karl Lowe scored a late intercept try to secure a 17-12 win against the Chiefs in Roturua on Friday.
In the final warm-up game for both sides, the match was scheduled in the afternoon to help the Chiefs get accustomed to the humid weather conditions they will experience in Durban next weekend.
The Hurricanes seemed to adapt easier as they took a 10-7 lead at the break through wing Tamati Ellison and flank Scott Waldrom.
Flank Tanerau Latimer touch downed for the Chiefs and pivot Stephen Donald added the extras to keep them within reach at half-time.
In the second stanza, the Chiefs took a 12-10 lead as skipper Sione Lauaki crossed the chalk, but Lowe’s late score clinched the game for the Wellington franchise.
Flynn’s rotten run continues
Hooker Corey Flynn has picked up another injury and is in doubt for the Crusaders’ opening game against the Highlanders.
The All Blacks front-ranker played 20 minutes in the win over the Blues on Thursday before he had to be helped from the field due to an ankle sprain. According to The Press, he reappeared afterward on crutches and although the Crusaders management are reluctant to rule him out, he could be sidelined for a spell of six weeks.
Ti’i Paulo is now the favourite to start at hooker against the Highlanders in Christchurch next week. Coach Todd Blackadder will also have to look at other wing options with Kade Poki struggling with a quad niggle.
Filo to fill Ali’s boots
Filo Paulo has been named the official replacement for injured Blues lock Ali Williams.
The 22-year-old North Harbour player impressed in the Blues’ warm-up match against the Crusaders on Thursday. Coach Pat Lam told stuff.co.nz Paulo will start in the coming match against the Hurricanes as Williams is out for the season with an Achilles injury.
‘We had a look around but when you spend time with someone and realise what they can do, the answer was in our own backyard,’ Lam said. ‘He’s young but he’s a big man and he’s shown a good work ethic and commitment.
‘He’s done the hard yards for us over the summer. He’s been in our wider training squad and covered for some of the other guys early on. I’m happy to be going with him.’
Paul Williams (head) and Serge Lilo (shoulder) were injured in Thursday’s match, but Lam expects them to recover for the opening match in Auckland.
This thread will be updated throughout the day.
13 Comments
5 Feb 2010, 09:31 am
nee fok corey! Get well soon!
5 Feb 2010, 09:39 am
No more injuries Corey , we need yo this season
5 Feb 2010, 09:41 am
Poki still seems a bit small for top level rugby so not a great loss
5 Feb 2010, 10:21 am
@stew:
Kade Poki : 1.76m 85kg
Shane Williams : 1.70 80kg
Breyton Paulse : 1.78 80kg.
Things ain’t always what they may seem.
5 Feb 2010, 10:23 am
@Transformation: He looked much smaller – i cant believe he is taller than Shane Williams – was he wearing platform shoes !!!!
5 Feb 2010, 10:26 am
Veteran All Black flyhalf Carlos Spencer is set to make his debut for the Lions when they play their final Super 14 pre-season game in Witbank on Friday evening.
He will play for the Lions in the game against the Pumas, in what looks very much like a ‘Probables’ Lions team, while what looks like a ‘Possibles’ squad plays against the Leopards in the curtain-raiser.
The 34-year old, who scored 608 Super 12 points for the Blues between 1996 and 2005, and accumulated 291 points for New Zealand in his 35 Tests, has played for Northampton Saints and Gloucester in England in recent years.
The Lions will be hoping that Spencer will be the general and playmaker they need to lend direction to their campaign through the Super 14 tournament
5 Feb 2010, 10:38 am
@Transformation:
Sawubona ndoda
Poki is a decent little player,but doesnt seem to have the out and out pace and balance of Paulse or feet of Williams.Solid though.
WHat do the Crusaders/AB see in Colin Slade?It baffles me that he is even in the international picture
5 Feb 2010, 11:08 am
@mshiniwami: What are your issues with Slade – looks a decent prospect from what we have seen of him – has Bowden gone to the Saders ?
5 Feb 2010, 11:16 am
@mshiniwami: sibingelele mshini…
Kade was fantastic in the u20s, but i haven’t seen a lot of him in the saders but he is undoubtedly a solid player.
Aren’t you being a little harsh on Slade, improved in the ANZ cup
5 Feb 2010, 11:29 am
@stew: @Transformation:
I just dont see anything above avg with Slade.He remind me a bit of ex Sader Cameron McInytre,just a bit bigger in frame.He and Hamish Gard are not too far apart ability wise.He is just not AB material.Or maybe i expect to much from AB prospect at 10/12??? Bowden looks a better prospect to me…But hey I guess standards have dropped a bit-even Mike Delany has a couple of AB caps….
5 Feb 2010, 11:35 am
@stew:
I believe Bowden is at the Saders now.Good move
Looking forward to seeing Robbie Freuan at the Saders.If he plays to his potential..In a yr or 2 it will be as if Laulala wasnt there.He has the ability to be that good.
Have said plenty of him in the last 3 months or so,hope he produces.Nothing beats watching a big powerful Maori/PI boy with bal in hand and running great lines.
5 Feb 2010, 12:47 pm
@mshiniwami: Looking like an exciting season for the Saders – cant wait
5 Feb 2010, 16:52 pm
@stew:
@mshiniwami:
Bowden gone to the Blues, he’s an Auckland Grammar boy.
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