Northland Club Rugby 2019
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I havent seen the OBM side yet, but Kamo naming largely unchanged lineup they have for last few weeks, with Cam Goodhue packing down on the side as player/coach again
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@taniwharugby no Rueben Wright, I hear he’s having another enforced mid season rugby holiday...
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Interesting lineup Kamo is putting out, I see a couple of others that are missing,Nikau Graham,Tamati Tua and still no Kane Jacobson which has got to be a concern for his Northland inclusion
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@Steven-Harris Jacobson hasn't played all season so I don't expect we will see him, Hohaia been at 10 last few weeks.
Not sure on Tua either, although he hasn't played much even when I thought he was fit.
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OBM beat Kamo 34-12
After a very tight first half, where despite Kamo having a slight edge, trailed OBM by 7-5.
But some very poor comms between the Kamo wing-FB saw OBM hit straight after the break, and then peppered the gap between the Wing and FB for the rest of the game...within 10 mins of the halftime break, game all but done with OBM out to 26-5.
Kamo hit back with about 10 to go to give a glimmer of hope when Tua picked up an intercept, but OBM hit back and again and Hawkins put the final nail in with a penalty inside the last couple of mins.
Kamo forwards looked the better in the 1st spell, OBM looked shagged, but halftime came at right time and got thier second wind to put Kamo away.
Dan HAwkins controlled things well for OBM, even put in a couple of long touchfinders with a breeze at his back.
Matt JOhnson was tidy at 13, Rae didnt get alot of ball at FB, but the touches he got were class, on defence too.
Stokes was his aggressive self, although looked to have a bit of a calf injury that he went off for.
OBM 9 controlled the game in the 2nd spell, kicking to the right space where Kamo struggled to cover with Murray and O'Grady letting too many balls go to ground.
Berridge and Goodhue tried hard for Kamo, Hohaia went ok at 10, lacks a kicking game but obviously runs ok.
Sykes was excellent in the 1st spell, but alot quieter in the 2nd, as was Kamo.
Tua went ok in his time on the park, unsure why he doesnt start (assume a combination thing?) looks very solid and quick.
Waipu smoked Wellsford 57-7
So will be Waipu - OBM in the final next weekend, Waipu reserves snuck past Kamo and will meet Hora Hora in the final after they smashed Kerikeri
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IN the Championship final at Okara today, Mid Western out lasted Mangakahia 38-30 @Gunner even getting about 20 mins for his team!
Waipu did the double knocking off Hora Hora in the reserve final and then the Prems taking the chocolates 34-20 over OBM.
For Waipu Waiseguy Fiane was one of thier best as he controlled the game and pushed them round the park, nabbing a nice little chip and chase try.
Thought Kurt Davies (unsure if still the same Kurt Davies that played 9 for Northland a few years back) was bloody good at 12 for Waipu, probably the best mid-fielder on show today, with none of the others really showing out (or more just shutting one another down?)
Scrum contests were pretty even for most of the match, but late in the game when OBM had subbed off Wiggins (looked like they had a prop and 2 hookers in thier front row at that point too) Waipu smashed them a couple of times, earnign a penalty, which they scrummed again and a phase or 2 later was Waiseguys try.
Hawkins struggled to get his backline going, his handling wasnt great either.
Leilua was a threat at FB for waipu, while his opposite, Rae was again solid and always a threat.
OBM 7 Byrne is an energiser bunny, what he lacks in size he makes up for in ticker, similarly Waipus McNamara was busy.
Waipu didnt give Stokes the room to run today, and while he was still into everything and all agression, just didnt have as much room and was stuck in the tight.
Mayanavanua is a bloody unit!! Gets about the park too!
Waipus 9, Abraham looked handy too, while his 11 Jona Tuitoga looks more like a prop than a wing, certainly has something about him!
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@taniwharugby thanks for the match report, congratulations to Waipu especially after being the bridesmaid in 2018..
It’s been a long time between drinks for the south Whangarei township not 100% sure but I suspect this could be their first title, but I stand to be corrected.
Absolutely rapt for coach Graham Dewes the former Fijian international prop, its a day he probably won’t forget given Fijis first ever win over the NZ Maori in Suva today..Just from an observers piece,I am starting to wonder if Dan Hawkins was such a good signing ..really and truthfully he should be dominant force at this level and to hear he was outplayed by the unwanted Wiseguy Faiane is rather disturbing.
Just on Jona Tuitoga ,he’s a bit of a veteran these days having played a few seasons in the North Harbour and has represented Harbour at 15s and sevens .
Rapt to hear young Jared Byrnes going so well, just needs a bit more size added to his frame, but one thing you can’t fault..the boy has workrate and ticker..It’s a little crazy to think former Northland halfback Kurt Davies has remodelled himself as a 2nd five,be interesting to see how he goes in the development squad.
Great to hear new signings Pisi Leilua and Jonty Rae had good games, that’s an expectation as far as I am concerned..
Just a couple of questions on a coupe of other Northland squad members..how did Temo Mayanavanua who I know is a big lad do around the paddock ..also Sam Caird ..? -
Temo is busy, could do a bit more though, can see the range of skills just waiting to surface.
Caird gets through the work too but just not sure he has enough meat on that big frame to be effective at the next level (hope I am proven wrong) excellent lineout option though, they probably had the better of the Waipu lineout
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@taniwharugby Just great to see Waipu doing so well. 😀
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@kev yes it is good and I believe @Steven-Harris was correct in that this was Waipu's first title.
@Steven-Harris tbf on Hawkins, he did play pretty well last week in the semi, but then I have never really been a fan so not the best person to be talking about him being a good signing or not.
He is someone who will give 100% every week and is as brave as they come on defence, but IMO his ceiling is just a solid 6/10 at M10 Cup level.
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So Moerewa/UK beat Otamatea 20-12.
Congrats to Moerewa/UK, it’ll be interesting to see if they meet the NRU criteria to be able to make the step up to Premiers next year.
Having Otamatea in the Championship South Zone will significantly strengthen that competition.
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@taniwharugby and so the Waipu dynasty begins.
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