v Wellington
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Couldn't get in to this site for the half. A bit annoying.
Another game where we let things get away by not executing the simple things. Just a mental thing. By the time we got going we were in the game but shit 17 points down by then.
Finally I think we have players in the right positions.
We just need to be smarter - play the game in the right zone. Do what they did with malls - stand off.
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I like to try and tone down player criticism, as I've been a shocker in the past, but can someone please tell me what Malcom Macleod adds to this team? This contracting business is a joke, as that chap Markwick is a way better option....
Macleod throws shit passes left right and centre, and takes a few steps before offloading. Not good enough.
I agree with other i thinking we should have our best side week in week out, we just need to get that W. Gotta go all out now, rip, shit and bust. Stop this rotation crap and just put the best team out there..
Getting sick of this losing business. We have the basis of a team that can get results, but its almost as if we've forgotten how to win..
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Yes - we have got a team that can win - the scrum is competitive, our bench seems to add impact, lots of good young players in the forwards and the backs are now coming along - Nock starting to run games, Tua is looking good at centre, Alaimalo looks better on the wing, Wood will get better at fullback.
We just need to start well, make good decisions ( e.g. We finally worked out how to defend malls by not starting them ) and we will win. Getting that win is so important now to reflect the ability in the team.
Hope they can keep this team together, keep the standards up and keep improving.
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I wonder if Harris knows his best side...don't think our loose trio or mid field have been the same on consecutive weeks, granted we've had injuries and the odd bit about Dan not knowing the rules.
For me:
Waa, wright, kite
Neville, Goodhue
Ram, matich, Pryor
Nock, breen
Hyland, tua
Macilai, wood, alaimonaThat team should start next week.
Our subs are often baffling, although our fitness is a concern too...
Our energy levels just seem down, granted consecutive losses will do that, but when you see them walking to restarts it just makes it seem like they don't want to be there.
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@taniwharugby said in v Wellington:
I wonder if Harris knows his best side...don't think our loose trio or mid field have been the same on consecutive weeks, granted we've had injuries and the odd bit about Dan not knowing the rules.
For me:
Waa, wright, kite
Neville, Goodhue
Ram, matich, Pryor
Nock, breen
Hyland, tua
Macilai, wood, alaimonaThat team should start next week.
Our subs are often baffling, although our fitness is a concern too...
Our energy levels just seem down, granted consecutive losses will do that, but when you see them walking to restarts it just makes it seem like they don't want to be there.
The team is a great debate, shows how passionate everyone is and after all these losses still seeing positives everyone deserves to get better results from this team.
for me I would have Robinson at lock for nevell, I think shane has bulked up too much and his fitness is letting him down and he only seems to be in the game in patches. Play Robinson for the whole season and Northland will have a good player that will push for Super Rugby honors. The scrums function better with out Nevell in the tight so If Harris was going to play him I would do it of the bench where he can COVER lock, 6, and 8. Ram is not looking right so would bring in Stoaks to hunt with Kara Pryor. Now we have a forward pack that can cover the field. Unfortunately I dont think at the moment it matters who is in our back line it is become apparent that we have two pivots that struggle to set their backs free, with or with out good ball. -
We played that game with about 28% possession and in the wrong parts of the field. Better kicking, more ball retention and we will be ok.
TR, your team is close to the best side for me but I am not seeing a lot of differences with some players so a little rotation is ok for me. I think Matt Matich has had a big work load so I can understand him being on the bench for one game.
Man do we need a win!
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Yeah I did think Robinson might be a better option, although might de power our scrum slightly....I think consistent time will help Ram get back to what we know, but I do like the look of Stokes.
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@justin77 said in v Wellington:
I like to try and tone down player criticism, as I've been a shocker in the past, but can someone please tell me what Malcom Macleod adds to this team? This contracting business is a joke, as that chap Markwick is a way better option....
Macleod throws shit passes left right and centre, and takes a few steps before offloading. Not good enough.
Macleod is the coach's son, nuff said
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There were some horrible missed calls and strange decisons last night.
Twice early on Wellingtons throws were down the wrong side by a long way and no call. One of these lead directly to 3 points yet first time we throw in attacking position we get called.
Kara Pryor gets called for knocking on and the ball is dropped a metre backwards - he was even facing backwards.
Kara Pryor got penalised on the line for not releasing yet if he had the guy could have reached out and scored. When the player is in the act of scoring close to the line no one ever releases. Ever!
Robinson looked like he got held back when he was a support player on a break.
Tua got trapped when the tackled player fell on him - no attempt to put himself on the wrong side or roll into the wrong position. A good ref would have called trapped and blown a scrum, but a penalty called.
No wonder our guys were frustrated. When your struggling, your not getting some calls, the ball bounces conveniently for your opponents ( we made some big hits only to see the a ball fall nicely for Wellington ) you would have to be.
I would love to see some match reviews for the refs - how do you miss a not straight when you are holding the flag for FS? Surely there must be a basic competence test. Abject failure last night.
And meantime you have comentators like Dowd who ( aren't watching what is happening and calling it ) haven't watched our games saying how weak our scrum is. Watch our games if you are going to commentate mate - this season that is just not accurate.
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ha, after last years shambles, our scrum has been surprisingly good this year, they have still had some lapses (game 1 v Manawatu) that makes you wonder WTF, but otherwise, it is probably the better part of our game right now.
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@Bones said in v Wellington:
That's some obvious bias from the ref by the looks. All those calls against Northland and absolutely none against Wellington.
Yep, you got it @Bones, I'd get Winger to wade in with a conspiracy, but it's Wellington so he'd be conflicted!
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Hey, not saying that there aren't calls the other way but two wrongs don't make it right and all you want is a bit of accuracy. Not much displayed on some simple things last night.
The frustration is you can't see what happens to make things better - how are the refs improving their systems to reduce errors?
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I think Kara is an outstanding player but he is a fair way off in the game management and decision department.
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@taniwharugby Yes but he his still fantastic! On the same line a thought Waa and Wright were great in contact for us last night. They all play with some pride.
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with Waikato playing canterbury mid week and having some injuries, the Taniwha could be in good shape come the weekend for a good win. I think the frustrations shown by Kara were more to do with carrying injuries than anything. I liked how Nevell came back on in the 2nd half and added some impact, I think that the team would benefit more of him using him like that. Its a shame we dont see him running the ball more as I remember him dominating club rugby from number 8, 2 years ago. get the starting mix right by playing the players that will grind and lay a platform then introduce the impact players that can play off the cuff rugby.
I think Waikato may be struggling to back up next weekend, hopefully they are sore after the mid week game. If we dont get this game then ............ -
I think we have a good shot at tipping them over, Southland the next week and to finish with NH up here with thier 3rd game in 8 days...
We get a nice 10 day break before Waikato next Sunday too, be good for those with niggles to have a few days off I expect.
Optimistically, we can win all 3, realistically we should win one, probably we will win none...but winning all 3 with BP and we could be in contention for 4th spot on 19 points.
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@taniwharugby Thats the way I see it.
