Toll Northland Mitre 10 Cup Squad for 2017
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I will by no means get carried away with that result today, as there's still a long way to go, but from what I witnessed I must say Northland look way better than we have in the past two years.
The thing that stood out for me was our set piece has improved tenfold. the lineouts worked like clockwork, and the scrum was dominant. Harbour had an absolute nightmare with our pack today, we were far more organised and aggressive.
Was really impressed with the communication as well, everyone was in unison and had a good understanding of what each other was doing.
Yep it was pre-season, and yep both sides were trying new things, but if Northland keep building from this performance I think it will be a pretty successful season.
Our first two tries were well worked from the forwards, it was a pick and go attack for the first one, with some good work close to the line, and the second was very similar. from there the backs had there turn with some well worked moves along the chain which culminated in meat pies!
Individually I had several stand-outs. Josh Goodhue was my man of the match, the guy played the whole 80 and was still running at full steam at the end. His defence was top notch and he was a sharp shooter in the lineout, took everything coming to him. He's in for a big year.
I was really impressed with our new Scotsman, Murray Douglas, the guy is a beast, very aggressive and great in the contact. To all the 'locals only' guys, I challenge you to find someone better running around up here right now. Yep there maybe guys that'll be good in the future, but right now, he's our best fit.
Out wide Tamati Tua and Matty Wright had solid matches, as did Rene Ranger after a bit of a shaky start. Sam Nock better be ready for a lot of minutes this year, as under him I'm not sure about Macleod, I would have preferred Matt Markwick there..
Our two first fives had decent games too, Hawkins was solid in the first 40, and Breen was solid in the 2nd. Breen takes the battle by a whisker though..
Other mentions go out to the like of Mike Faleafa, Namatahi Waa, Matt Matich, Jack Ram, Blake Hohaia and Kara Pryor, all were right in the thick of it. Faleafa made some brutal runs.
Tactically we were far more efficient than Harbour, our outside-in defence choked them all day and they had no answers. Their tries were opportunist, and came from our errors.
For them I thought Volavola was their best. Former Taniwha Shane Neville played ok too, not a bad effort.
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@J77 on your comment about Douglas I agree.
We dont know if any local locks were offered contracts, and therefore turned down for thier own reasons.
I know of a couple of players who just cant afford to take the time off work for a basic contract and as such arent really looking at making it a career, just play rugby cos they love the game.
Will be interesting to see how Ranger responds this season, while he could return in 2 seasons for a swansong, I reckon this seaosn could well be his last, hopefully it does reignite his passion and flair and has a huge season, him running off Jack Goodhues shoulder is an exciting prospect.
This season promises an awful lot, but I need to temper that with the fact we've been down this road before of having a decent looking squad that has failed to deliver.
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@taniwharugby Ranger looked to be enjoying being back in the cambridge blue, was impressed with his attitude out there. He looks a little slower, but still has that impact we need.
I'm thinking it would have been nice to still have Neville in our squad, especially since Tom Robinson looks to be out. If one of our locks drop, we may struggle a tad. Josh Larsen is still a good player, but just looks too light for my liking. Got ragged a few times today.
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@taniwharugby if it's any consolation,whilst the personal have changed since a year ago,we got pumped by 60 points in the corresponding game last year..the only other locks I saw in the HP games earlier this season were,Fredericks from Western Sharks,and the guy smith from Waipu,Fredericks looks promising,but very light..!,and the other chap from Waipu was ok but hardly Mitre 10 level,and Reuben Wright who has been around for a while,solid at club level,but at 31 if he was up to this level would have made it by now..judging by the feedback from Justin,Douglas went well,and more importantly brings some size to our middle row.
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@J77 thanks for the update Justin,you could have another career if you ever decide to move from your current work,I think we can all appreciate it was'nt the strongest Harbour side on paper,it still did have a good number of their 2017 squad on deck along with Hoeata and Pisi,but balancing that,we Alaimalo,Macilai,Jack Goodhue,Dan Pryor,Troy Gilbert,Howard Silioto and Ross Wright who were not available..!
So for me,depth is the big gain here..! I will be heading along to the return game next Thursday,I have no doubt both teams will be stronger,and Harbour will be looking to turn it around,so it's really the perfect build up to August 20th.
Will keep you all posted. -
@Steven-Harris Your'e too kind Steve! I think I'll stick to what I'm doing ... for now!
I agree, Harbour had a decent core there, but at the same time we were missing a heap of talent too. Look forward to your report from down that way next week.
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@taniwharugby said in Toll Northland Mitre 10 Cup Squad for 2017:
The jersey story is nice and all, but I don't like the look of the jersey itself. Reminds me of the cartoon Taniwha they had on there a few seasons back.
I prefer rugby jerseys that have simple designs - less is more. -
@taniwharugby me too, although the playing one is ok, its way to 'busy' at the bottom. Bring back the plain cambridge blue I say. Maybe have that maori design in white so it doesn't stick out like dogs balls.. Still, not a bad effort Paladin. Will be getting a heritage one at least.
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@J77 yeah they could have had it fade into the darker blue at the bottom with the patterns in a darker blue again, so they were visible up close but on TV would have just looked dark blue.
Like @Gunner says, cool story bro, but not my cup of tea...that said, if it makes our players play better, I love it
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Northland Team to play North Harbour @ QBE Stadium, Albany.
Kick-off TODAY @ 2:30pm- Howard Sililoto
- Matt Moulds
- Namatahi Waa
- Tim Bond
- Josh Goodhue
- Murray Douglas
- Jack Ram
- Matt Matich
- Sam Nock
- Peter Breen
- Rene Ranger
- Troy Gilbert
- Tamati Tua
- Jordan Hyland
- Matty Wright
- Ross Wright
- Ropate Rinakama
- Phil Kite
- Chris Apoua
- Josh Larsen
- Kara Pryor
- Dan Pryor
- Jacob Matiu
- Michael Faleafa
- Matty Markwick
- Dan Hawkins
- Monty Lama
Looks possibly the strongest team available with the exception of Jack Goodhue,,Solomon Alaimalo & Jone Macilai.
Will be at the game,will keep you all posted.. -
10 minutes Northland looking good in the opening minutes,but it's the Harbour winger that scores from a counter attack,very poor option from Ranger with a pass which put Tua under pressure,ball turned over,Ben Volavol the conversion,Harbour 7-0
