v Waikato
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Gee, what a performance. Where has this team been for the past 20 odd games?
Waikato were poor, but we still had to take advantage, in previous games we haven't been able to do that.
Forwards were great, can't think of anyone who didn't play well.
I'm with TR Hawkins is much improved and is doing a great job at 12.
I've been a critic of Hyland, but this was easily his best game for Northland. Had some really good touches.Just bloody pleased hat this horrid losing streak is over.
I'm a believer after that performance, that we can win our next two, as long as that team turns up, not those other Muppets who drop the ball every 5 seconds and cant win lineouts.
Oh, and Markwick is better than MacLeod.
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Last year showed us that we had some things wrong. Again I think the two coaches that exited off season and the time it took to make replacements revealed how thin our support structures are ( club competition included ) and the impact that has on a team like ours.
But this year the squad is better ( the young talent we have bodes well for the future), the fitness is better, the set pieces are better, and you can see that we are learning from game to game. We still need to improve game management ( exits! ) to change those close losses to wins but we played smart on Sunday which was so good to see.
Hope we don't now do BOP and get ahead of ourselves. Confident we won't. A couple of really good performances to finish the season and you would have to be happy.
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still not convinced these coaches are the ones to take us forward, as many of our best moments tend to be off the cuff typical 'Northland' throw caution to the wind stuff...although I did really like the move that put Dunn in v Auckland last year and the move that got Matich over v Waikato, that is obviously a bit more than just instinct.
That being said, if they were gonna get rid of them, they needed to be looking now, so I think Harris will see out his 3 years...who knows what next year will bring, they have the core of a very good side, one that I think could be in the Premiership (or is it Championship??)
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@taniwharugby I agree with you in regards to the coaches, when you have the likes of Dean Kenny, Doug Te-Puni, David Howell, Gus Collins and others all hanging around the Northland club scene you have a massive wealth of coaching experience and knowledge of Northland Rugby and Players.
even when it comes to the fitness of the team there are up and coming coaches that can handle this part of the job, ie Adam Clarke ex Mid Western. -
@Nath-Jac Is Dooley doing any coaching? I know he helps out with an U11 team, but does he help MN at Seniors too?
Gus seems to be stalking the sidelines for Kamo, Cam Goodhue is another that seems to be looking at a career in coaching.
Adam Clarke was doing some coaching stuff wasn't he, as well as being a PT. -
@taniwharugby I am unsure mate. Northland need to seriously look at who can coach this team and lead the way for future coaches. there needs to be a strategic move to plant these coaches around the club rugby scene and start working towards a shared goal. Development of our players for the next level needs to be looked at in club rugby and this can only start with Northland and the clubs ensuring that the coaches they accept to run the teams are in it for Northland not for them selves. Along with these coaches being utalised then Northland needs to educate its NPC players on how to best fit into their club team and mentor players that are coming through. over the last few years I have seen young players playing club rugby that are excited to play along side a contracted player in club rugby but not once were they ever shown any tricks or tips on how to improve their game they were just there to make up the numbers. these are the young players we are loosing. I believe that we have enough coaches to pick from that can unite all the club coaches and get the ball rolling.
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It's a shame Whitcombe left when he did, another 2 seasons under him I reckon could been just what was needed to set us on a path for the coming years. Alas I understand the money on offer meant it wasn't really a decision, more about when to leave...
Woodward seems to still have some involvement at the moment, but I am not sure how much.
He is someone we need to keep involved, if only to just mentor some of the upcoming coaches.
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I am not sure about Whitcombe - we had one ok season but from what I remember the scrum and lineout were average and our points came from general play. Was Cam Eyre still playing - he really made a difference as a leader. So I don't think we built any lasting systems on or off the field while he was in charge, player development was poor, and then he left us in the lurch. We can't afford to have those types of coaches.
On the other hand, you always felt that Bryce Woodwards teams had a pattern, were well coached and he recruited well.
I do think the board missed a trick when they went outside the region for both coaches. Without continuity between seasons and a late start RIchie was well truely rooted last year e.g. The contracting of those Argie props was a disaster and not his decision. On the other hand the use of the centre/ wing from Auckland was his mistake.
From my observation he works well with the team, knows his stuff and is approachable. I think he should be persevered with but we should aim to build a team of Northland support staff with the aim that one of those takes over some time in the future.
But I can't remember when we had so much young talent of real ability. Retention with some off season development, and a few tweaks will see us well placed in 2017!
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More I just thought Whitcombe seemed to make a significant move and change with the team in that last year, and just when he seemed to be making progress, he left, suddenly leaving Harris to step in....which is why, despite only 1 win so far I and I still question a lot of his calls, I think he deserves his third year...
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I was happy for Matt Moulds on the weekend, it was the best Ive seen him throw in a long time, the basic line outs were won so the pressure was off the throw. I always feel that the Northland team never let their throwers get into the game by calling low percentage calls early on. Basic is good.
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D Duluth moved this topic from Taniwha Rugby on
