v BOP
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I guess it's near that time to start our match topics. Can't believe it's come around so fast.
So, I'm guessing we'll have pretty much a full stable to choose from this week, my only concerns are around Matt Moulds and Sam Nock. Those two looked the most serious out of our niggles last week.
I understand Jack Goodhue, Soloman Alaimalo and Jone Macilai are back with the squad now, so that backline should be looking sharp. Dilemma for me is 12, and who to put there?? Do we go with the bulk and experience of Gilbert, or the silky skilled Tua? Theres also Blake Hohaia who I was impressed with in Kerikeri.
Up front is the loose forward log jam, the others pretty much sort themselves. Personally I'd go with the Pryors and Matich, but they may want a bigger 6. In that case either Faleafa or Douglas may play there.
Haven't heard a heap about BOP, but looking at their pre season they have had narrow losses to Naki and Waikato. They are always a handy outfit, but for us they're ripe for the picking first up.
Us by 12
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so you coming along?
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@J77 sweet, drop me a text.
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@taniwharugby will do bro
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Start: Sililoto, Moulds, Waa
Bond, Goodhue
Douglas, Pryor, Pryor
Nock, Hawkins
Tua, Ranger
Alaimalo, Wright, HylandBench: Olsen, Wright, Rinakama, Ram, Matich, McLeod, Breen, macilai
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@taniwharugby looks like they are using Ross Wright as hooker/prop cover for possibly injured Moulds? Always liked Ross as a hooker, but less so as prop option. Jack Goodhue rested? Hawkins ahead of Breen? Good team so hope they start the season with good win.
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@kev think a few of the non-AB crusaders have been rested.
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We really need Nock to step up with his play and dominate things more, is a good option having Ram & Matich on the bench, guess they went for Douglas' size, given Matich's work rate is second to none IMO
Jack Goodhue was unavailable for selection for the fixture after a heavy workload during the Crusaders' Super Rugby campaign but will be in contention to debut for Northland against Auckland.
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@taniwharugby I think that Nock needs Nock to step up his play too.
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@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.
Hopefully Nock can have an extended run of being uninjured too, as I think this has also hampered his progress.
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Looks a pretty useful outfit and we don't have a great record up there to be honest.
Haven't seen our team yet but this year is looking like a very decent pack with strong reserves to come on - and a pretty average backline. But young Mike Delany is back!
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@taniwharugby Yeah, really hoping he has a good run and his confidence levels are high going into Super Rugby. Next season is probably make or break for him.
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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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Interesting that both Karpik and Blake are fetching 7s and we always have a big munter in 6 ....
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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. -
Northland B just missed out to a last minute penalty goal against Auckland B 20-19. Northland's pack monstered them. Auckland had a good 10 who kept pinning Northland back though.
Now for the main game...
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Is Nock injured?
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@Tim think so.
Man we need a player that can kick more than 30m with the wind at his back.
No continuity at all...need some damn ball and to hold it instead of miracle off loads
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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
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just re-watched the highlights, Ranger made the correct decision to not pass, from where I was I couldnt see the guy between him and Alaimalo.
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Great win, but ill be honest, after the first half I was thinking here we go again....
Found some real spark in that 2nd 40 and scored some really good tries.
Once they all got the shit out of their system they all played reasonably well, I like TR do have serious concerns about McLeod though...
Macalai has piled on the pounds hasn't he, still looks reasonably sharp though.
We've got good depth when you consider we still have Goodhue to come back in, Ranger will obviously have to go to the wing which isn't all bad, he'll be able to roam from there. M Wright might be under pressure to retain his spot too, Macalai needs to be starting I think.
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@Gunner yeah I reckon a back 3 of Macilai, Alaimalo and Ranger could be the way to go.
I was watching with J77 and we were like, same shit different year after 40...happily take my medicine and be proved wrong!
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Auckland had a good 10 who kept pinning Northland back though.
No teams lists.. was it Wiseguy Faiane?
Don't think it was Wiseguy mate, he was pretty sharp though, as was their 7.
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Are there no decent barbers in North Auckland?
The pick of the games for round 1. Good skills in what looked a beauty of day for running rugby.
Taniwha forwards played well and provided good ball. Was impressed with the Taniwha backline and that halfback looks good, although he did look a little gassed by around the 60th minute trying to get to every ruck.
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@ACT-Crusader said in v BOP:
Are there no decent barbers in North Auckland?
If you had to design a prototype North Auckland player from the last couple of decades, he'd definately have dreadlocks
