V Auckland
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So what's the team going to look like, some forced changes, but like to think the rest should be rewarded?
Move Temo to 6, Matiu to start at 8, Caird into lock or maybe Sweetman being a big more robust, maybe move Gregory to 12 and slot Rae to 15?
Gonna be a big step up to Auckland, they will be stinging after the draw so will be out for blood.
We will need to be much more accurate.
If we play well I think we can roll them, but history says we wont.
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Unavailable due to injury: Scott Scrafton (jaw), Tumua Manu (ankle), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Robbie Abel (hamstring), Lyndon Dunshea (knee)
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Auckland looking to go one better in Whangarei against the Taniwha
Leni Apisai is in-line to make his first start at Hooker in place of Robbie Abel, while Dalton Papalii is named on the...
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Northland team to face Auckland
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Isileli Tu'ungafasi (Mid Northern)
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Jordan Olsen (Mid Northern)
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Corey Te Whata-Colley (Western Sharks)
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Temo Mayanavanua (Waipu)
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Josh Goodhue (Kamo)
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Sam McNamara (Waipu)
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Matt Matich (Western Sharks)
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Jaycob Matiu (Hora Hora)
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Sam Nock (Kerikeri)
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Dan Hawkins (OBM)
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Pisi Leilua (Waipu)
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Matt Johnson (OBM)
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Scott Gregory (Hikurangi)
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Jordan Hyland (Wellsford)
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Jack Debreczeni (Eastern)
REPLACEMENTS
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Paddy Jo Atkins (Wellsford)
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Ross Wright (Wellsford)
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Jack Straker (Kamo)
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Sam Caird (OBM)
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Jarod Brynes (OBM) Debut
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Will Grant (Hora Hora) Debut
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Blake Hohaia (Kamo)
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Renata Roberts-Te Nana (OBM)
Unavailable due to Injury
Tamati Tua
Tom Robinson
Rene Ranger
Aorangi Stokes
Harrison Levien
Kane Jacobson -
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@taniwharugby J Deb better be first receiver on our defensive clearing kicks or else we ain’t gonna make it out of our 22..
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The changes in the backline were driven by the senior players.
Both Josh Goodhue and Sam McNamara we’re cleared to play which was good news..
Aorangi Stokes failed his HIA
Kane Jacobson doesn’t look good, in a moon boot and more than likely it’s his season done and dusted. -
12 Matt Johnson
13 Scott GregoryThat looks better. Northland needed to move more quality into the midfield. My pick would have been Hyland but Gregory should improve things
I don't rate Hohaia so that helps too
What are peoples thoughts on Johnson? I've seen him play a reasonable number of games and I struggle to recall anything positive or negative about him.
Debra at 15 is something I've wanted Northland to try.. just not with Hawkins at ten
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Interesting selections, like the look of Johnson and Gregory, especially defensively, gonna be a tough at the office up against TJ & Manu..
Agree about Hohaia, he used to be a stepper, but has now turn into a crash merchant..
Looks like the Taniwha will use a 2 pivot role..
Like Matiu at number 8, not a big ,but like Jordon Taufua brings a ton of physicality.. -
Dont think Johnson has had quite the chance to prove himself anywhere at the moment. He was with a rubbish Southland team for two seasons. He then got picked up by the Blues, but had heart surgery so that curtailed everything for him.
The jury’s out, but seems to have something about him. Be keen to watch his progress.
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I think having Gregory in closer and getting him involved more is essential to both the team and his development as a player.
The Hawkins-Debreczeni thing is something I wondered if they might try, although hoped they wouldn't...hopefully Hawkins proves me wrong, I expect Auckland will run down his channel, but then that is the one area of his game I have no issues with.
Yeah Hohaia seemed one to watch when he hit the scene a few years back, but had a serious injury and has not really shown much since, and I have seen him play a number of club games and certainly didn't dominate as you would expect him to do.
For me he strikes me as one if those guys that hits all the training targets and does all the off field stuff, but is just lacking that little something on the field.
I have a bad feeling about this game...which I guess won't be such a bad thing as I won't be able to even watch it tomorrow.
