Northland v Otago

[kev]

Good line D. Now the exit.

[kev]

Good exit. Well done.

[kev]

And a great try. Wow.

[Higgins]

Jeez, you'd be spewing if you blow it from here!
Northland 19 - 00 Otago after half an hour

[kev]

Some great work. And another try. Bonus point. Shit.

[Bovidae]

Otago obviously not doing their neighbours Southland any favours.

[kev]

And we give one away. But like the energy from the Taniwha.

[taniwharugby]

What was the card for?

[kev]

@taniwharugby he threw someone’s boot away

[taniwharugby]

@kev wondered if that was it...happened to someone at the other end too.

[kev]

Dumb play. Behind the line should have kicked. Come on boys.

[kev]

And another great try. Loving Gregory at centre. Giving Debreczeni a target when he runs.

[kev]

Should have been another. Not offside.

[Stargazer]

The way Otago plays is even bad for a second-string team. Obviously, they're already focusing on the semi next week. That, or they still haven't recovered from losing the Shield.

[kev]

@Stargazer Otago haven’t shown up. But good we put them away.

[taniwharugby]

@Stargazer both

Although we played some rugby today, liked our attitude on defence especially

[kev]

Hard to judge with Otago useless. But good line speed on D, good work defending the line ( we have been not bad here most season), some good passing exchanges and more punch at centre.

[taniwharugby]

@kev having Gregory at 13 helped Hohaia too

[Nath Jac]

Great win for northland, a good free flowing couple of tries gave them the confidence they have been missing, that style of play tho still only pays off 10% of the time hence the season score board, i have always believed the squad is ther but its higher up that needs to be looked at, alot of money is being spent with the coaching staff and the 100 assistance they have for very little payback. Good way to end the season tho over a top 4 team.

[taniwharugby]

Was kinda expecting that, but maybe it was just hope...

Right from the outset I thought our defensive line had more intensity, having Gregory alongside Hohaia makes a big difference on attack and d.

Those first 10 mins Gregory made about 3 or 4 tackles...in other games this season they are missed and we are down after 2 mins.

Having Gregory outside Hohaia on attack gives him that moment more time and space with opposition needing to keep an eye on Gregory rather than knowing our 12/13 didnt pose a threat.

Think the rookies acquitted themselves well, Mayanavanua throws himself about, Byrne too, but could do with a couple more kgs on his frame, Funaki was busy too.

Simoni Uluinakauvadra didnt get alot of time but a couple of nice touches, lines and workrate you can see he has something about him.

Good way for Debreczeni to bow out for us too.

As I said at the start of the season I thought we had a good squad, today showed we have some good young players, but it is usually only injury that sees them get the chance, and I expect plenty got way more minutes than planned.

Have heard a 10 who has played Super rugby in SA is heading here to live and will play 7s for us, so hopefully he plans out at 10.

Need to find a 13, although I guess Ranger will likely be back, so keep developing Cherrington.

Unsure who comes off contract but I'd be looking at getting some of these fellas signed for next season (Matiu, Caird, Mayanavanua, Levien, Uluinakauvadra, Byrne, Rae)

Pretty poor season all told, but book ended with wins at the start and end.