v Waikato
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Probably going to be our toughest match yet, and thats including Auckland, who in hindsight we should have beaten!!
Anyone got the lowdown on injuries? Obviously Josh Goodhue looks the most in doubt, but the rest seemed to come through the Southland match unscathed from what I saw.
Waikato have some strike weapons out wide, but if we can strangle them in midfield with our rock solid D I'm sure we'll restrict their space a bit.
Key word is 'ruthless' again! Momentum is ours, let's keep the throttle down.
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so far we have only conceded 7 points in the 2nd half of our 3 games this year....
I think Matich limped off as well.
I think Dan Pryor had a shoulder niggle, so hopefully he and Matich are good we will have a full compliment of loosies to choose from, although if Josh Goodhue out, will they have to run with a lock on the bench, given when Douglas been at 6, we've had 2 loosies on the bench.
Reece and Guildford lead many of the stats for metres, linebreaks etc, so we need to starve them the ball, while ensuring Macilai and Alaimalo who feature reasonably high up on the leading stats too, get a lot of ball.
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Ross, Wright, Matt Moulds, Ropate Rinakama
Tim Bond, Murray Douglas
Jack Ram, Dan Pryor, Matt Matich
Sam Nock, Dan Hawkins
Jack Goodhue, Rene Ranger
Jone Macilai, Solomon Alaimalo, Jordan HylandReserves: Jordan Olsen, Howard Sililoto, Phil Kite, Josh Larsen, Jaycob Matiu, Matty Markwick, Tim Blundell, Blake Hohaia
So is Kara injured this week, or just good old fashioned rotation?
So Matt Wright, Josh Goodhue both out with concussion, Breen, Waa and Kara injured?
Good to see Larsen back
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Zac Guildford, Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara, Sevu Reece, Pita Ahki, Tyler Campbell, Sam Christie, Pele Cowley; Jordan Manihera, Mitch Jacobson, Luke Jacobson, James Tucker, Jacob Skeen (c), Sefo Kautai, Hame Faiva, Loni Uhila
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ayden Johnstone, Duke Nginingini, Leva Fifita, Adam Burn, Harrison Levien, Matty Lansdown, Bailyn Sullivan
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pretty solid looking Waikato team, will be a good gauge for us to see if we have really made progress.
Looks like showers forecast for Saturday, which is a shame cos I reckon could be a decent walk up crowd if the weather turns it on.
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@taniwharugby I like our team, we have some depth, so looking forward to getting a line on how we are improving. Hope we turn up with attitude and play some rugby.
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@taniwharugby I like our team, we have some depth, so looking forward to getting a line on how we are improving. Hope we turn up with attitude and play some rugby.
I still don't think this team has hit its full potential yet, I reckon there's still heaps to unleash.
One of these upcoming games we are going to bust out a near complete performance...let's hope it's this one. Waikato are apparently fired up over last years result, so will be tough, but the way we are travelling that shouldn't bother us. Us by 8 👍
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Good try but hungus - should have been a try under the posts not in the corner
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@Stockcar86 said in v Waikato:
Good try but hungus - should have been a try under the posts not in the corner
Always a risk of a pass going to ground maybe?
(Of course if it was Masaga or Kata then it would be a clear hungus).
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Fuck it's cold!.
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Me like our scrum
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Wind all but gone...clearing skies
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Holy fuck
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@taniwharugby man we look like the real deal. Winning the physical parts of the game and scoring tries out wide😀
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sit back and savour this fellas, some very tough and dark times as a Northland fan (and for the players) over the years, just need to savour these moments!!
Oh me oh my did I enjoy that, YES BOY!
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@taniwharugby Congrats to the guys. Keep it coming!
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just skimmed through the game on TV.
Thought we were excellent defensively, had some great continuity and our scrum was good again.
Ross Wright is a revelation this season, often been a big ball runner but struggles at scrum time, but he has been a rock so far and add in his great running.
Probably Nocks best game, Hawkins despite a couple of errors, gives it everything week in week out and am warming to him! HYland I thought was excellent, his best game, bar that mic-comunication on the failed penalty to touch by Waikato, lots of players were very good, I am an unashamed fan of Matich, guy is a machine.
Also be interesting to see what happens when Tua is available, he was outstanding in the first 2 games, but Rene and Jack are working very well, also wonder how much playing in the Cambridge blue gets Rangers enjoyment factor back.
All the players stepping in are stepping up!
Biggest criticism is our ball security at the breakdown with a number popping out the back and sides, as well as a number of our lineouts were messy slap downs.
But these guys are clearly enjoying thier rugby and playing for one another, making it easy for the new boys to step in.
Huge test on Thursday with a resurgent North Harbour!
some game and individual stats available HERE
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Was was great to see a performance under difficult conditions to see our forwards roll their sleeves up in most facets and dominate Waikato to the point where their time in our 22 only amounted to very little.
I thought Tim Bond & Murray Douglas were superb,they just do their basics really well,kick off receives especially..Bond was my POTD..he shortened up Zac Guildford in a massive tackle deep into the game.
Other surprise to me has been Ross Wright,from what I understand,he's much fitter than he's been in recent season,and it's showing...
Talking to many of the reserves before the game,they are itching to get back on the paddock,they can see what's unfolding.
A little unsure about the status of the injured at this time,will be interesting to see if there are any changes,maybe Josh Goodhue for Josh Larsen,Tua on the bench,Matt Wright..to come back,Maybe Waa back..?,some really good headaches to have..(pardon the pun)
Watched both Wellington & Otago,mixed results for both,if your playing Wellington,stopping their offload game ,making your tackles and staying in the fight is key..
Otago were very impressive,very good set piece scrum and lineout ,but in terms of adding some balance to what was a one sided game,Hawkes Bay have up to 15 x players unavailable through injury,many of them with super rugby experience..it's tough gig as we very know..
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@Steven-Harris you looked nice and warm up in your little box last night
It was so cold last night, especially at half time and for about the next 10-15, like nothing I can recall at Okara/Toll!
Yeah I noted at a Kamo/Wellsford game Ross Wright looked in good shape!
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@taniwharugby I have always loved Ross Wright as a running hooker with a big heart - taking it to the line with little regard for personal safety. Been one of my favourite players for years and should have had a super contract. In the past with us struggling at scrum time I didn't think he was a prop but our scrum is awesome and he running as good as he ever has. Fantastic stuff. And it's great to see Jack Ram and Rene Ranger having seasons to remember as well. The imported locks have worked well, and we seem to have bench and squad players that are just as good as those on the field and add impact. Long may it continue.😀
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@taniwharugby even took my jacket off in the commentary box,felt for all the die hards on the terraces,tough night for them,watched the players run on to park the 2nd half and they were jumping up and down just to keep warm..
Can only see Good times ahead,that was going to be a good test in terms of where we are,I think,we can now go into games knowing we have depth and solid set pieces..
And with our weapons in the backs,anything is possible..! -
@Steven-Harris was waiting on my invite up into the dry warmth
Come the end of the game it had warmed up considerably and I was for the most part, still dry, but we ran back to the car to warm up and get home in time for the test
NH will be a good test again this week, can we break thier unbeaten streak or will they roll on!
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@taniwharugby the good news is
You should be much warmer this Thursday evening,should be balmy evening at Toll
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@taniwharugby said in v Waikato:
@Steven-Harris was waiting on my invite up into the dry warmth
Come the end of the game it had warmed up considerably and I was for the most part, still dry, but we ran back to the car to warm up and get home in time for the test
NH will be a good test again this week, can we break thier unbeaten streak or will they roll on!
I think we'll be the ones rolling on bro! Put the mortgage on it. 😛
Seriously though, really impressed with that performance. Once again we made some errors etc, but still looked like we were never going to lose. That's the mark of a very good team.
I like the fact we go out there and focus on our game, and what we want to achieve, rather than worrying about the opposition.
Harbour will be a sterner test this week, they come off a longer break than us, but if we can roll the sleeves up and crack on with the business I think we'll smoke them!
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@J77 confidence Justin,I like it..!,gonna be interesting to see if James Parsons starts for harbour this Thursday,was in a degree of discomfort when he left the field against Counties Manukau..we can beat these guys,
Their strengths are in the halves and back 3,totally confident we can more than match them up front.
