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Botany and Ormiston Times, Thursday, June 22, 2017 — 15
opinion
rugby
Lions play war games T
he All Blacks can expect a brutal aerial bombardment and bone-crunching tackles to combat their superior running game against the British and Irish Lions in Saturday’s eagerly awaited first test at Eden Park. It was the near perfect execution of these tactics that negated the threat of Damian McKenzie, Nehe Milner-Skudder and James Lowe when the Lions mauled NZ Maori 32-10 at Rotorua last weekend. It all started with the domination exerted by forwards Tadhg Furlong, Mario Itoje, Sean O’Brien and Taulupe Faletau against a well beaten Maori pack that gave Irish halves Conor Murray and Jonny Sexton a perfect ride. Murray’s towering bombs were deadly and pose a major threat to the All Blacks back three who won’t be allowed the freedom to attack with the impunity they enjoyed in the 78-0 thrashing of Samoa. With Murray seen as the major challenger to Aaron Smith’s status as the world’s best halfback, their contrasting styles should make interesting viewing. More compelling could be that between the Irish champion and PJ Perenara when the latter comes off the bench to provide the thrust and aggression which
With Ivan Agnew
ew’s AgnANGLE
made him such a star against Samoa. Much as I admire Smith’s skills, Perenara may have more to recommend him against Murray in matching like for like. Caging the brilliance of Beauden Barrett will be the first priority of defence coach Andy Farrell whose son, Owen, is almost as good a tackler as he is a goal-kicker. Intimidation is as much the Lions game as running and slick passing is the All Blacks. With Ben Te’o and Jonathan Davies impressing against the Maori with their bone-crunching tackles, it will be interesting to see how they fare against Sonny Bill Williams and Anton LienertBrown should all four be chosen to start. The All Black pair’s brilliant offloading was magical against Samoa but they cannot expect the same leeway against the Lions who will also be eager to test SBW’s defence. However with Ben Smith and
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Israel Dagg also starring against Samoa, the All Blacks should carry the day if their forwards combat the threat posed by the Lions pack with the power and accuracy Brodie Retallick exerted against the Samoans. But expect a hard-fought battle against a ruthless team that. against the Maori, took no prisoners. Meanwhile plaudits to Emirates Team NZ for what has been a thrilling America’s Cup challenge that has them 3-0 in front of defending champion Oracle who have had five days to speed up their boat before the competition resumes on Sunday. With skipper Glen Ashby the only sailor involved in the dramatic collapse against Oracle four years ago, there is no baggage to carry for other members of the crew. Certainly not 26-yearold champion helmsman Peter Burling who, having owned up to past mistakes as a rookie match racer, has proved a quick learner. Having recovered from their early capsize to overcome allcomers including Britain’sd Ben Ainslie and the Swedes, the Kiwis have Oracle Aussie skipper Jimmy Spithill worried, if not lost for words. As such, Oracle shouldn’t be short of puff in light airs. ➤➤Ivan Agnew is an awardwinning sports writer and author
Pakuranga Rugby clobbered by Eden Pakuranga United Rugby Club is reeling after the premiers suffered a massive defeat at the weekend. The prems went down 51-12 to Eden after trailing 30-0 at halftime. “Yes it was one of those days where our boys decided not to turn up,” confessed premier coach Pita Alatini. “It was our worst performance so far this season...
there’s no excuses. We had a team capable to get the result but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.” Meanwhile the pressure is back on the prems for this weekend’s game against University. “I am confident in this team to do the business however my players must realise their potential and play accordingly to get the desired result.”
Club results
■■ Grammar TEC 21 (M Storm, S McVinnie tries, Penalty try, H Plummer 2 conv) Halftime: 27-21 ■■ Eden 51 (G William-Spears, B Lam 2, N Costa 2, B Hill tries, R Costa 6 conv, R Costa 3 pen) ■■ Pakuranga 12 (S Shearer 2 tries, W Faiane conv) Halftime: 30-0 ■■ College Rifles 36 (A Bell, A Tuia, T Manu 2, L Manu 2 tries, O Mausia 2, B Hooper conv) ■■ Manukau Rovers 0 ( tries, conv, pen) Halftime: 12-0
■■ Premiers 12 vs Eden 51. Tries: Sam Shearer x2. Conversions: Wiseguy Faiane x1. Player of the Day: TJ Faiane. ■■ Premier Development 26 vs Eden 24. Tries: Jarrod Dimond x1, Paula Maama x1, Matt Blackie x1, Charlie Gibson x1. Conversions: Hawaii Ahokovi x3. Player of the Day: Jarrod Dimond. ■■ Under 20s 14 vs College Rifles 19. Tries: Simon Fauoo x1, Obey Samate x1. Conversions: Obey Samate x2. Player of the Day: Morgan White-Chambers. ■■ First Grade 17 vs Suburbs 39. Tries: Jeremy Grey x2, Richie Maupese x1. Conversions: Scott McEwen x1. Player of the Day: Scott McEwen. ■■ Taipans 66 vs College Rifle Shooters 0. Tries: Ryan White x2, Ben Biggelaar x1, Liam Crowe x1, Lance Talbot x1, David Conochie x1, Dylan Oberholzer x1, Jamie Petford x1, Kit Wilson x1, Etienne Hill x1. Conversions: Jason Littlefield x7, Ryan White x1. Player of the Day: Jason Littlefield.
Alan McEvoy Memorial Shield Round 3 – Saturday June 17
■■ Suburbs 36 (C Perry, L Schwencke 3, R Parakai, M Keresoma tries, C Perry 3 conv) ■■ Ponsonby 0 ( tries, conv, pen) Halftime: 5-0 ■■ University 58 (H Saker 2, K Fuavao 2, A Pogia, S Dominkovich-Murray, K Eklund, M Jones tries, B Helleur 6 conv, B Helleur 2 pen)
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Portola Trophy Round 3 – Saturday June 17
■■ Papatoetoe 31 (J Latana 3, S Loamanu tries, J Latana conv, J Latana 3 pen) ■■ Otahuhu 21 (M Matavao, M Tavae tries, M Matavao conv, M Matavao 3 pen) Halftime: 8 - 14 ■■ East Tamaki 33 (S Talanoa 2, P Elama, L Fasavalu tries, Pen try, T Iosua 2 pen) ■■ Marist 29 (S Rayasi, R Ipiniu, G Gray, A Rokolisoa tries, J Saena, S Rayasi 2 conv, J Saena pen) Halftime: 13 - 15 ■■ Mt Wellington 31 (S Otto, S Tapili 2 tries, M Wilson 2 conv, M Wilson 4 pen) ■■ Waitakere City 29 (B Afamasaga 3, T Unoi tries, A Tavita 3 conv, A Tavita pen) Halftime: 22 - 8 ■■ Waitemata – BYE
Women’s Premier
■■ Marist 35 vs. Ponsonby 3 ■■ Ardmore Marist 19 vs. East Coast Bays 14
Snapshots
Power outage could mean $50 Last Sunday (June 18), 893 Vector customers (from the Vector app at the time) lost power to their homes twice in the Mellons Bay area. The first time was at 2:58am till 5:15am. The second was 9:54am till 1:50pm. The Vector residential service standards available on their website (www.vector. co.nz/personal/electricity/ about-our-network/ourservice-standards) states that “unexpected interruptions” or faults on their network greater than 2.5 hours will mean
Autumn Colours at Albert Park 秋色 - 陳志揚攝於 奧大旁的Albert Park
Vector will pay $50 to each customer. The second outage was nearly 4 hours so qualifies. Each customer has to call Vector within six months and
request the $50 claim. They require your bank account number as well as you address details. Name and address withheld
Lazy low-life
A vehicle was seen dumping this rubbish.
TIMES
high tides
Photo supplied
I recently discovered illegally-dumped building materials on a busy walkway at the end of our cul de sac - Dale Crescent in Pakuranga. What kind of low life, lazy person would leave this kind of material with nails protruding to save themselves a few dollars in tip fees? For the record, to aforementioned person, your vehicle details along with other incriminating evidence have been passed onto the Council’s Illegal dumping team who will no doubt be in contact with you shortly. This isn’t the first time I’ve contacted the council with this kind of complaint. I guess its a lazy homeowner or contractor who couldn’t be bothered with tipping fees. While realising there are far worse case’s out, this walkway is very busy and clearly visible as it’s right next to the South Eastern Highway after you come off the Waipuna Bridge from the City A frustrated, tidy Kiwi, Pakuranga
Cheese... 茄子... 祥雲褚軍攝攝於奧克蘭米森貝海灘邊。一年輕男子半跪在沙灘上用手機為一對老人拍照。
David Soh 357 0922 021 488 525 email: dsoh@ymail.com
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