Taranaki vs Northland

[J77]

@kev said in v Taranaki:

@J77 said in v Taranaki:

We’ve just never got away from that battler tag, to being actual contenders. Hard to think it’ll ever change in all honesty.

Still think we can but maybe not this year. I would be satisfied with a team that competes for 80 mins, plays with energy and innovation, and is smart. I remember when Bryce Woodward had his second stint as coach, how the team played attacking entertaining rugby. Really enjoyed watching that team.

Hope so Kev. I guess my opinions are tinged with frustration and a bit of jealousy as I look at other teams of similar status to us performing well.

Just about every team in this comp over both divisions have had recent golden runs, and that’s including Southland with their shield glories. When you look at it we’re the only ones who’ve been left behind. Yep we’ve scraped into that fourth spot three times since 2014, but that’s about it.

I only come across as a bit pissed purely because I know we are capable of much better.

[Steven Harris]

After watching Otago and Hawkes Bay on Thursday night we have to find another level..

I am totally concerned about tomorrow’s game against the Naki, they have so much super rugby talent to call on compared to our boys, not to mention a couple of All Blacks in TTT and Naholo.

I think we will be lucky to stay within 20..Hawkes Bay,BOP and Taranaki you can lock in in terms of semi finalists in my opinion..and then Otago probably favoured to get that 4 place.

One player I thought we could cover was Ranger, but his absence in the midfield is there for all to see especially at Mitre 10 Cup level.
Also Tom Robinson gave us so much energy in the first few games last despite getting injured..
Can only 🙏we bring some sort of physicality tomorrow

[kev]

That’s why you start with Ross.

[Gunner]

A good start from Northland.

Good handling, direct forward play, a couple of breaks, good continuity...

6 minutes down, can we keep this standard up for another 74?

[kev]

Poor discipline

[Gunner]

That is the dumb shit we can’t afford to do!

Had Naki under huge pressure 5 from their own line, then give away 2 dumb, needless penalties to relieve the pressure on them.

[taniwharugby]

TTT played that on the ground with his feet prior to that try.

[kev]

Lucky.

[kev]

@taniwharugby said in v Taranaki:

TTT played that on the ground with his feet prior to that try.

Yes should be penalty. They always miss that.

[taniwharugby]

is that wind really that strong?

[kev]

Hohaia not having impact with his runs.

[taniwharugby]

NOck has a very quick pass, but he spends alot of time with his head up looking at scrums.

[kev]

@taniwharugby got to coach that out. Make decisions get on with it.

[taniwharugby]

man our discipline is average (although ref let them go straight off feet which he pinged us for)

[taniwharugby]

superb passage of defence, ending with a great t/o by Matich

[Gunner]

Haven’t had the ball for 10+ minutes, soon as we get it we kick it back and we’re defending again....

[kev]

Better physicality by our guys. But they are breathing heavy.

[taniwharugby]

Hohaia pushing very hard on defence.

[taniwharugby]

damn, big loss with HYland going off

[Gunner]

Fucking Johnson rushed up out of the line, took no one leaving a gaping hole for hem to run through.