Current squad for 2018
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@taniwharugby understood...just not sure it’s the best system.
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@kev it isn't, but under the set up we have, isn't really a better way I don't think.
Back in the day these kids would play senior club rugby and learn form the wiley old fellas in their team (and opposition) now they go straight from school into M10 or Super.
I wonder if Nock was released to play for Keri Keri on Saturday?
Apparently Ranger played for Wellsford reserves and As, but Wright wasn't, and Hyland got limited minutes.
Odd thing about Wright, is that I thought he had been released completely anyway given he was only an injury replacement, so maybe he is injured rather than being told he isn't allowed to play?
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@taniwharugby I think there could be a better system. But that’s always a matter of opinion. The Blues are just absolutely crap at picking, developing and retaining players. Just happy that more of our players are getting a crack even if it is only as injury reserves. Ross Wright played really well and was unlucky with some ill informed criticism after his last game. Hope Nock turns a corner and has a great season for us. Good to have Ranger back - gives us back a real attack in option. Thought he got better for us in his last stint - played with real passion.
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http://www.taniwha.co.nz/newsarticle/63722
Dan Pryor is off to Japan. Just a great skilful heads up rugby player for us over many years.
Not sure what the mix of loose forwards will be like this year. No Ram, DP, Faleafa.
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@kev knew it was coming.
No surprises really, now is the best time for him to leave (obviously next year with RWC gonna be lots seeking overseas contracts)
With the injuries he has picked up past couple of seasons, I expect the slightly less physically demanding Japanese league will prolong his career.
I'll see if I can find the link to something I read on FB, was a cool little piece about him.
Been a great servant to Northland rugby.
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More signings...
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Good to see Nock playing a lot better for the Blues on Friday. Making his decisions faster, taking control a bit more, started to run as well. The ball wasn’t well protected by the forwards and one time he had the ball slapped from his hands by Higginbotham who was offside at the ruck, which was disappointing. But good signs for Northland. Hope he gets more game time?
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@kev form what I have seen, Sykes has been in awesome form, and in the games I saw of Matiu, he looked strong in the carry and on d.
I'm not yet sold on Thoroughgood, hope he proves me wrong.
Yeah definitely one of Nocks better games (still a way from commanding a starting spot) thought his passes were crisp and accurate, got himself around the park in the right places, but yeah agree that the forwards did let the Reds in around the fringes too.
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looks like we will be without Macilai for the season, we were already looking thin on firepower outwide, but this makes it worse.
Hopefully one of the rookies will step up and show his worth.
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@taniwharugby said in Current squad for 2018:
looks like we will be without Macilai for the season, we were already looking thin on firepower outwide, but this makes it worse.
A back three of Debreczeni, Ranger and Hyland?
There's lots of young midfielders so no need to have Ranger blocking their progress. Debreczeni has played plenty of games at fullback and it's worth having a good look at Faiane at 10
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@duluth yeah thats what it is likely to be, but I'd of preferred Macilai, Alaimalo, Ranger
But if any of them get injured, then we are into the newbies...are a couple that look sharp at club footy (Renata Te Nana looks very good)
I do hope we play Ranger on the wing instead of centre though, guess depends on if Goodhue makes the ABs, although as you say, we dont need toplay him there though.
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Been out of the loop a little bit.. What’s the verdict on Myles Thoroughgood? I see he’s from the Canterbury system.
It seems we are a bit thin in the back three now. Hyland and Ranger on the wings seems like the obvious option as it stands, but to me that lacks some top end speed. Maybe we need to have a last ditch effort at the market for the next Fijian prodigy, like they did with Rupeni back in the day. This is all provided Macilai is out for the year.
@Duluth, what’s your take on Wiseguy Faiane? No doubt you’ve seen him a fair bit in Auckland??
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@j77 said in Current squad for 2018:
@Duluth, what’s your take on Wiseguy Faiane? No doubt you’ve seen him a fair bit in Auckland??
Only seen him live a few times. He's a good signing but it is early in his development
He was a very good at schoolboy level but struggled in his limited NPC time. Although that was in the chaotic Nick White side so probably not fair to judge him
He kicks the ball more than other NZ 10's, he has a lot of variation. More of a Sopoaga than a McKenzie
It made sense for him to leave Auckland because he's behind Plummer and probably behind D'Angelo Leuila (Ieremia started him for Samoa when he coached them). So Wiseguy was likely to miss out on the 23
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@duluth from what I hear his goal kicking isnt that great, which will pose an issue if there arent other options available.
The games I watched he looked handy, playing well within himself I thought, would be handy enough, and TBH a step up on either option we had last year, which sadly wouldnt be too difficult.
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..and Debreczeni is also a step up. So if Wiseguy doesn't work out there is another option.
I'll make a prediction that he'll have a mixed first year, be better in his second and then become a SR player in 2020. So a massive improvement on what you guys have had in recent years
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As long as Debreczeni is there for kicking goals I’m all for giving Faiane a crack. If he is a good general play kicker that suits me, as I really want to see our 10’s getting distance out of hand this year. My pet hate from years gone by was our inability to carve metres off..
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yeah alot hinges on Debreczeni being there, and I look forward to the prospect of someone being able to get us outside our 22 for our exits, something we have struggled with for many years now.
I saw Goodhue was still listed as out with concussion for the Blue,s but I had heard he was 'available' for Kamo a fortnight ago had the Blues released him.
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It’s always been the Northland way to throw the ball around and have a crack from anywhere, but if you don’t have a 10 who can get you out of the shit when needed it makes it tough. We’ve leaked countless points from those situations. What I’d like to see this year is us play for territory more with clever kicks, turn the opposition around. Then we can turn on the razzle dazzle.
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Waipu loose forward Sam McNamara has been signed fro the upcoming season.
http://www.taniwha.co.nz/newsarticle/64820
Reckon Stokes should be next on the list?
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I do hope Faiane is somewhere in the mix,the occasion I did see him him play for OBM against Kamo I was really impressed with his passing game both left and right.
Not totally sold on thoroughgood,I guess he’s benefited from being behind a very good Kamo pack and having Mac Sykes playing at 9,talking to many people,Skyes has been the standout club player.Really hoping they are looking at the Englishman who plays tighthead for Kamo,Alex Gale,23 years old played for England at school boy level,the man is a rock at scrumtime..and for a big man,135kgs is very mobile...he played for Kamo last year,but weighed over 150kgs,has shed around 15kgs and from what I have been told will be coming out to play for Kamo again next year.
