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When the fixture list was released, the Fan had identified the North Harbour game as a good away day. In my ever imaginative mind, we would be fighting for a place in the top 8 having won our previous 4 games. In reality, there was no good reason for anyone to attend Saturday’s game – which meant easy parking and a prime seat on halfway.
There were a few Bay fans scattered around and not many more Harbour fans, agoraphobics would have been very uncomfortable. The game itself had an end-of-season feel to it, very entertaining although tackling was deemed optional for both sides. After a bright start and an early try, we again disintegrated and the game was lost by half-time.
Wellington comes to Rotorua on Friday night and if they hit the form they showed against Taranaki, our lads may take a beating. It will be a suitable conclusion to a dreadful season but hopefully the fans are given a battling performance and some hope for 2008.
At this time of year, our thoughts turn to Chiefs selection. It will be great to see super coach Ian Foster bringing the franchise partners together and selecting wisely and fairly once more. Ahem.
I expect to see the best XV pick itself and the squad be filled with young Waikato players with a Super 14 contract being used to prevent them moving to another province. Typically the Bay’s best players are ignored and then they head overseas. Mark Sorenson left last year because he missed selection despite playing great rugby for a number of seasons. Now there isn’t a decent injury-free lock left in the whole region
Given the season we have had, it would be very easy for our Waikato friends to do without Bay players altogether were it not for their own paddling pool depth. With this in mind I expect the following 3 players to gain selection.
Tanerau Latimer. With Holah on his way north and Waikato with no obvious replacement, Latimer is a sure selection despite his rather quiet season.
Jamie Nutbrown. Kelleher is gone so Nutbrown should be Leonard’s deputy. However Waikato may feel the need to promote young Bason.
Murray Williams/Mike Delany. One of these should make the Chiefs as cover for Donald – Williams got the vote last season although Delany has stood out in a beaten Bay team.
Simms and Ben will no doubt be in the mix at prop although the lure of the pound/euro may be stronger. Of the rest of the Bay squad, Solomon King and Colin Bourke deserve a chance of a Super 14 spot somewhere but I suspect it won’t be in Hamilton. Lance MacDonald might have to sit out a season in the Chiefs development squad.
Go the Bay on Friday night. And many thanks to Counties-Manukau for taking 14th place.
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