v BOP
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Two strong sides named, should be a cracker. If we can gain parity up front I think we could split them out wide.
I hope both our 10's can step up from last weeks hit out, as a lot broke down in that area, and I'm sure that wily old fox Delaney will have a trick or two up his sleeve for BOP..
Interesting to see Matich benched, I'm guessing the coaches are looking for height and size against this Steamers pack.. I'm sure he will get plenty of time on the paddock though.
If our forwards rip into it and our 9-10 axis works, I'll stick to my original prediction. Tanis by 12ish... If it doesn't, I don't even want to go there!
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Good squad for us this year, trying to keep a lid on expectations though.
Its imperative that we start well and get the W against BOP if we want to be making an impression on the Championship this year. No disrespect to BOP and their fans but they'll be one of the weaker teams we come up against this season.
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@taniwharugby said in v BOP:
@Tim yep, especially as the reserve 9 is a big step down, or was last year, bigger step down than the other 9 in the squad too which is frustrating.
I wouldn't be too upset if both back up 9s were to injure themselves going from what I saw last year. I think Emil Pittman has more to offer.
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@Gunner Markwick was a much better player than MacLeod last year, hopefully we dont see much of him if Nock tears it up.
I reckon the NPC is looking pretty competitive across the board this year, all teams have pretty solid looking squads.
But yeah, we need to get the W in week 1, with Auckland in week 2, otherwise we end up as we did last year with a game that got away, struggle v Auckland then already behind the 8 ball into week 3.
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@taniwharugby said in v BOP:
@Tim yep, especially as the reserve 9 is a big step down, or was last year, bigger step down than the other 9 in the squad too which is frustrating.
I wouldn't be too upset if both back up 9s were to injure themselves going from what I saw last year. I think Emil Pittman has more to offer.
I have heard good things about this Pittman dude, what's the go with him Gunner??
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@taniwharugby said in v BOP:
@Tim yep, especially as the reserve 9 is a big step down, or was last year, bigger step down than the other 9 in the squad too which is frustrating.
I wouldn't be too upset if both back up 9s were to injure themselves going from what I saw last year. I think Emil Pittman has more to offer.
I have heard good things about this Pittman dude, what's the go with him Gunner??
Went to Mt Albert Grammer, then spent a couple of years playing in France.
A humble young man with a good head on his shoulders, great pass and is pretty quick. Would really like to see how he handles himself at next level. -
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What a joke.
Best squad since last century and we playing like Muppets.
Need to bring breen and macilai on and take wright and Hawkins off
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@taniwharugby said in v BOP:
What a joke.
Best squad since last century and we playing like Muppets.
Need to bring breen and macilai on and take wright and Hawkins off
Game of two halves at this stage...
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Subs making a difference for us so far.
Wind still behind BOP but less than in 1st half.
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Awesome scrum. Possibly match winner
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Awful lineout. Possibly match loser
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Excellent second half
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@Donsteppa said in v BOP:
@taniwharugby said in v BOP:
What a joke.
Best squad since last century and we playing like Muppets.
Need to bring breen and macilai on and take wright and Hawkins off
Game of two halves at this stage...
Yep...wow, what a turn around, playing into a stiff breeze, BOP get up 21-7 at the break, turn around, and Northland come out firing, make a few changes, and then we win 28-23!
Top result! Yes that first 40 sucked arse, impatience, errors abound, but to come and turn that around in the second spell, as they did, wow!
Then , to defend thier line for the last 8 or 9 minutes, big heart!
Have massive concerns about our kicking from hand, particularly Hawkins, he was getting less distance down wind than BOP were into the wind, just not good enough at this level.
He gives it his all every week, but in my opinion, his all isnt up to this level.
Ranger was hot and cold, after making the big break he ignores Alaimalo on his outside and play breaks down, luckily we scored soon after.
Alaimalo looks to have bulked up in his time with the Chiefs! Maciali looks to have bulked up too, alot...but still has some silky skills.
Looked much sharper with Breen running the ship.
Bit concerned with MacLeod, he takes such a big wind up to pass, and then he kicked it out on the full a couple of times...
Cant wait to see Jack Goodhue out there alongside Tua, another who looks to have put some kegs on!
Plenty of players were all over the shop 1st half, but came out different.
Our bench made a great impact!
Will chuck up a poll shortly.
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@taniwharugby Winners are grinners and we showed great heart. Thought we out pasioned them in second half. But we need to build that on speed, intensity and accuracy for future games. This season we look to have better squad all over so we just need performances to match.
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still concerns over our lineout, but we will give most teams a tickle up at scrum time I think!
Hope Nock isnt too serious, cos he needs a decent run uninjured, otherwise they need to bring Pitman in I think
