v Otago
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I think they all got hit with the ugly stick as they walked into the ground tonight, that's how bloody ugly that was.
A win is a win though.
Bloody good how we hung in there when the ref was making cock up after cock up and the bounce of the ball just wasn't going our way.
Jack Goodhue again proving what an asset he is and why the ABs are keen on him. It's no surprise that he is on top of the Monkley Medal leaderboard.
Nock is another who is just going consistently about his business. How accurate are his box kicks!!! His passing and option taking are usually spot on too.
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@taniwharugby just referring to that one tip late second half.
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A positive for me tonight was the fact we showed that we can win ugly. As you fellas mentioned nothing was really going our way, especially in the 2nd 40. Northland teams in past years would have self destructed and been hammered.
Still a hell of a lot to polish up on. We need to sharpen up and be wiser to the kicks in behind us. Jordan Hyland was caught out there a couple of times, and that grubber for their try shouldn't have happened.
Yeah the ref and other officials were bloody annoying, but we get ourselves into those spots, so can't really blame anyone but ourselves.
But hey, we won, so I'm not going to whinge too much, 4 points in the bag and now on to Counties. A very winnable match, get a result here and a home semi could be very likely...
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Yea she was tough watching in that second spell alright...hanging on by a thread, but hang on we did, so you gotta take those, especially as we lost v NH and Man in the closing quarter...
Not sure what is up, first 3 games we concede 7 points in the second half, next 3, a lot!
YeahHyland struggled out there last night, they turned him around a lot, and he he doesn't turn quickly.
BREEN was up and down.
Jack G is superb, loved that read on the long line out throw of Otago and then that intercept when he was tracking back that ended up with us down the other end.
Nock still needs to boss things a bit more.
Did we take DP, Moulds and Ram off at the same time last night? As good a players those who come on are, to me hooking those 3 in short time is asking for trouble.
I'll chuck up a poll shortly
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@taniwharugby hell yeah we'll take them points alright. There's still a hell of a log jam for those last 3 playoff spots, so we need to keep collecting points.
Big games to watch between now and our Counties match are Southland v Manawatu and Auckland v BOP. If ever we want a turnaround in Southland and Aucklands form it's this weekend. Good thing is though we are still the masters of our own fate, and we have Hawkes Bay to come, so that should really be a 5 pointer.. Surely!! A win over Counties should seal the deal, but worst case scenario we will need to collect at least one or two BPs.
Be interesting to see what sort of team we run out on Sunday. I hope most of the guys are good to go. It looked like Nock was a bit banged up. Hope he's ok..
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@taniwharugby said in v Otago:
@j77 and Markwick looked in a lot of pain at one point, but carried on.
Might be time to bring Pitman into the squad and give either Nock or Markwick a rest on Sunday??
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@taniwharugby DP and Moulds went off at the same time, I was concerned since there was still 20 to go. DP was sent back into the mix for the last 5, I think. Just a bit too much pressure on the bencheys when their leaders aren't there to guide them.
Line outs weren't too bad (bar the first)loved the extra long 20 metre throw to Jack, the one he got head highed and Lenjtes was binned. I do think our locks might be a bit banged up tho. -
@northlandallday haha yes that first lineout, not sure what was up with that...
Wonder if we will get Bond back this weekend, hoping Larsen was just rested cos yeah some of our boys are getting a pounding out there.
We need to re-look at our game plan given the final quarter in the last 3 games have turned to custard, we could have won the NH & Man games in this period, but lost them, and almost lost this one there as well!
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Will take the win,but talk about frustrating..!
What should have been a look to bank 5 points and deny Otago a losing bonus at 26-6 2minutes into the 2nd half turned into an ill disciplined forgettable last 38 minutes where we handed all the momentum back to the visitors..
Start with the good,
Jack Goodhue I thought was exceptional,not too far behind was Josh Goodhue,his work rate was superb,can see his potential really starting to come through.I must mention Peter Breen,his goalkicking was exceptional on a night,that if he had faultered,the game could have gone the other way.just the odd error off the boot,but in the main,very solid.
Solomon Alaimalo continues to impress on every outing,and looks more the complete player in the 15 jersey.
One player I am really delighted for is Ross Wright,firstly he's proving me wrong about his ability as a loose prop,his scrummaging has been first class.and his ability with ball in hand is exceptional,great skill level..
The rest of the team went in fits and starts,Nock had his moments,and was vastly improved on his game against Manawatu
Now the not so good,
Just really wanted us to hang on to the ball for longer periods,the try Macilai scored was a bi product of just hanging on to the ball.
A great line taken by Alaimalo,strength and power got in behind Otago,simple stuff really.The aimles grubber kicks,
and the indiscipline which gave so much possession and field position which Otago took gleefully..My message to the Taniwha is,do the work up front,and then earn the right to go wide..!
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great writing on the advocate on our first try
Jack Goodhue break midway through the first half put fullback Solomon Alaimalo in space. He then strode over for the simple try to extend Northland's lead to 13-3.
Wasn't a lot simple about that try, Solomon had a fair bit of work to do there, not least avoid Breen who also realized they could potentially ruin things with a contact or obstruction so he all but stopped.
@Steven-Harris Some of our kicks and decisions left a lot to be desired, I mean that sole restart we decided to go short when we had been contesting and pressurizing the long restart so well.
Are a few things I need to watch on TV before I comment on though.
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Good to get that result. Was doing the haka in the lounge at 8am at that ridiculous 14 point try for Otago after the call on K Pryor, but I guess we got away with a shocking call in the lead up to the match winning penalty when Matich dropped it near the ref so can't complain too much. Still a shame to let them get a bonus point.
Have to say although we're looking dangerous in the backs this year the forwards are really setting a platform. Rinakama, Moulds and Wright are consistently playing well. Think Moulds is finally standing out now - guess the increased game time for the Blues has benefitted him. Josh Goodhue played the best game I've ever seen him play for Northland - his ball carries were a step up on what he's done previously.
I think Douglas going into lock was a bit of a blessing for us - we had a mobile loose trio that really put Otago under a lot of pressure. Think that's our strongest loose trio although you could swap in K Pryor for either of D Pryor and Ram too. Think having Matich back tightens up the defence a lot.
Agree with @Gunner that Sam Nock is going well. Thought bar the one kick out on the full he was excellent again - he's winning the head to head battles most games. Jack Goodhue again stood out - he's looking like an AB playing Mitre 10 Cup. Clawed an intercept back but think he's still in the red. He is a very smart player and has some nice touches but has also been a big physical presence in midfield - makes him and Ranger such a handful. Thought Hyland was good again apart from getting exploited by a few kicks - that's definitely going to need looking at. His ball carrying and defence have been excellent. Alaimalo and Macilai again very good - you can see why they're statistically two of the more dangerous in the comp. Hopefully Alaimalo can get the 15 jersey for the Chiefs and see if he can kick on at that level. It will be interesting to see where Tamati Tua fits in for the rest of the season - can't see a place in the starting line up just yet.
Interesting to see how different players are standing out this year. When we weren't playing so well guys like Dan and Kara Pryor really stood out, however this year with the whole team really performing some of the other guys have started to step up like Ross Wright, Josh Goodhue, Nock and Hyland yet the Pryor brothers haven't been as prominent. Not saying they're playing poorly just not standing out quite as much as previously.
With Sam Nocks form you wonder if he will be a shot at the NZ Maori squad. Same with Ross Wright - he's been going well so far this season and the NZ Maori are short of propping depth.
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