Southland vs Northland
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If Northland expect to be contenders come the business end of the season, this game is a must win, it can be ugly with early season cobwebs, but they simply must win.
Assuming fitness, I would expect the starting 15 to be something like this:
Ross Wright, Jordan Olsen, Isi Tu'ungifasi
Sam Caird/Sweetman, Josh Goodhue
Matich, Matiu, Jacobson
Nock, Debreczeni
Hohaia/Tua, Johnson
Hyland, Gregory, Leilua/TuaGuess alot depends on how Tua went at 12 v NH, given he started, assume ok?
Bench is alot harder to pick, with a few boys likely to get debuts.
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@taniwharugby agree. This match will set the tone for the season. We need to put teams like Southland to bed. Can’t be complacent though, even though Southland were destroyed by Canterbury in pre-season the slate is wiped clean come competition time.
Would like to see us play with a fast tempo, and use J-Deb to pin them back in their half with his boot.
Southland can be one of those niggly, annoying teams, who if you let them get a foot in they’ll gain some confidence. We’ve got to go in with a killer instinct in this one.. cut their throats early on!
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@taniwharugby knowing our luck there’ll be snow and sleet. Why couldn’t this game be in Whangarei!
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@taniwharugby oh for fuck sakes! Typical. Hopefully it pisses off by Thursday.
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@taniwharugby wouldn’t be a ridiculous idea to go to Dunedin if it was under snow. I remember us having to go to Albany when our stadium was under construction.
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couple of interesting selections...Wright off the bench, Stokes at 8 are probably the only 2 that 'surprise' me; 3 run on debutants, 4 on the bench.
Thought Caird or Sweetman may have got the nod to lock, but Temo looks like one of those types that when he hits his straps he could be devastating.
Otherwise looks solid, some real potential in there, just need them to fire in the arctic conditions they are heading to!
1 Isileli Tu'ungafasi - Mid Northern
2 Jordan Olsen -Mid Northern - Captain
3 Corey Te Whata-Colley -Western Sharks - Debut
4 Temo Mayanavanua - Waipu
5 Josh Goodhue - Kamo
6 Sam McNamara - Waipu
7 Matt Matich - Western Sharks
8 Aorangi Stokes - OBM
9 Sam Nock - Kerikeri
10 Jack Debreczeni - Eastern
11 Pisi Leilua - Waipu - Debut
12 Blake Hohaia - Kamo
13 Matt Johnson - OBM - Debut
14 Jordan Hyland - Wellsford
15 Scott Gregory - HikurangiREPLACEMENTS
16 Paddy Jo Atkins - Wellsford
17 Ross Wright - Wellsford
18 Jack Straker - Kamo
19 Sam Caird - OBM - Debut
20 Kane Jacobson - Kamo
21 Will Grant - Hora Hora - Debut
22 Tom Smith - Kerikeri - Debut
23 Jonty Rae - OBM - DebutUnavailable due to Injury
Tamati Tua, Tom Robinson, Rene Ranger, Dan Hawkins, Harrison Levien
Unsure what is up with Tua and Hawkins, Ranger and Robinson knee, and I believe Levien is concussion although should be ok next week.
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@taniwharugby same surprises with me. Stokes is not big for a number 8 but huge motor.
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I like Matich at 7, however if Stokes doesn’t work at 8 we can chuck Matich back there and bring in Jacobsen, who I also rate.
Be interesting to see what sort of side the Banjos put out. They have Marty McKenzie back, and have Eliot Dixon up front, so I’m not expecting them to be a complete pushover. That coupled with the possible conditions could make things a little tricky. If we were at home I’d say us by at least 20-30, but down there it could be tight. Gone 17+ in my picks, but I get a feeling it could be an arm wrestle.
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@J77 yeah I have mentioned a few times that if Matich was to become a regular super player, 7 might be his best position, possibly a shade small for 8/6 at that level (obviously just my opinion)...has the work rate for 7 (well all loosie positions) so will be interesting to see how he goes.
Anyone know if the snow has cleared haha!
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Southland
Josh Moorby, Isaac Te Tamaki, Seb Wileman, Ray Nu'u, Lausii Taliauli, Marty McKenzie (vc), Logan Crowley, Bill Fukofuka, Phil Halder, Charles Alaimalo, Mike McKee, Ray Tatafu, Morgan Mitchell, Flynn Thomas (c), Ethan de Groot.Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Joe Walsh, Chris Apoua, Ben Fotheringham, Matt James, Nico Costa, Scott Eade, Moses Faletolu
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@Duluth said in vs Southland:
Southland
Josh Moorby, Isaac Te Tamaki, Seb Wileman, Ray Nu'u, Lausii Taliauli, Marty McKenzie (vc), Logan Crowley, Bill Fukofuka, Phil Halder, Charles Alaimalo, Mike McKee, Ray Tatafu, Morgan Mitchell, Flynn Thomas (c), Ethan de Groot.Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Joe Walsh, Chris Apoua, Ben Fotheringham, Matt James, Nico Costa, Scott Eade, Moses Faletolu
Other than McKenzie how many others have played Super Rugby in that side?
I’ve only heard of a small handful of those players. Having said that these are typical banana skin games, especially for Northland, who seem to be able to lose to anyone on any day!
The last thing we want is this game being a “shoulda, coulda, woulda” match come seasons end.
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@J77 I know 8 names in the 23, but then I guess Southland fans would look at our team and think 'who the hell are they' about most of them too.
Looks like the snow side of the weather has improved, but looks like weather will play its part on what looks to be a cold wet night
We 'should' win this, but it is also the type of game we so often let ourselves down in too
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I recognise about 13 names in that Southland squad.
Te Tamaki has been in the All Blacks 7s squad; Nu'u has been in the Highlanders set-up, but I don't think he's played for them; Flynn Thomas (former NZU20 hooker) may have played a few games for the Highlanders against lesser opposition last year; he has been in their environment for at least two years. Braydon Mitchell has played for the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Chiefs. Willeman and Taliauli have come from the Brumbies (not sure whether they have actually played for them). Some of the others have played for the Stags for years.
