Oh god. It's an impossible choice. I'd probably be rooting for Auckland at the moment, but that could quickly change. I'd happily take the draw if it saw both teams crash from the tournament!
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Ftr I don't actually mind Waikato. If the shield wasn't on the line I'd be enjoying this game a whole lot more.
So, Hawkes Bay should hold the Shield for the Summer. At least it should be somewhere that the fans give a shit about the Shield.
This.....hence why I didn't really want Waikato to win it...... HB to pull a win out of their ass. They have a decent forward pack.....it just needs to last for the full 80 and the shield is theirs imo. If only it was that simple.
That opinion is pretty invalid these days tbh..... Whilst in a sense I agree with you, I also don't. 1. It wouldn't be viable to have a competition like the ITM Cup and not have your Wellington's, Cunterbury's etc. 2. The whole Championship/ Premiership divides the "inequality" for more equal purposes....if that makes sense. 3. A lot of the big name players are missing from the major city teams anyway due to AB duties 4. You'll actually find the "lesser" provinces are bursting into the Super rugby scene a lot more now anyway.
If Waikato hold the Shield for winter, the positive thing is that King Country should get another Shield challenge.
Hawkes Bay having a worse season than Waikato and after what Waikato did to the Naki i expect alot of changes this week to be made for the counties game so they can have the best 15 for Hawkes Bay challenge and dominate them. Also on a note. Im playing in the Curtain Raiser on a Televised Charity Match so check it out! Watch me mate some hits.