Championship Final - Hawke's Bay v Northland
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@KiwiMurph apparently it was that they didnt want to have 2 rookies starting (Grant/Cooper) but you could argue they didnt give either, Cooper in particular, enough opportunities through the season to develop him, only starting him through necessity, in which he has performed well.
Havent seen enough of Grant to rate him, but Hawkins isnt really an attacking 10...
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A real shame that Nock is out. He is going to be a big loss. Cooper should be starting, Hawkins be a better bench option. At least if the game is tight we have 2 reliable kickers. Can see Cooper getting the bulk of the 2nd half given his form in last 2 games.
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@Chiefy07 agree that Cooper should start. How much better has our backline functioned the last two weeks with him at the helm. I couldn’t give a shit if he’s inexperienced and too quiet etc, he’s got some swagger and like all good 10’s, he has time. BS call from the coaches in my humble opinion.
HB this is yours to lose, don’t fuck it up now...
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Yeah Nock was the glue for Northland was a shame to see him go down last weekend has been good every time I have watched him this season.
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Gutting for Sam Nock who’s had a fantastic campaign. Does so many positive things for the Taniwha in attack.
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@taniwharugby and the 5 prop option again. Like that. As with everyone else I like the positive attacking option that Johnny offers at 1st. That said Dan will put his body on the line for the team. Wish them the best for the game. Hawkes Bay’s too lose as they really have been fantastic - which would make any victory so sweet. No pressure 😀
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HAWKE'S BAY
15 Kurt Baker
14 Lolagi Visinia
13 Stacey Ili
12 Neria Fomai
11 Jonah Lowe
10 Lincoln McClutchie
9 Folau Fakatava
8 Devan Flanders
7 Solomone Funaki
6 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
5 Tom Parsons
4 Geoff Cridge
3 Joe Apikotoa
2 Ash Dixon (capt)
1 Pouri Rakete-Stones16 Kianu Kereru-Symes
17 Jason Long
18 Namatahi Waa
19 Isaia Walker-Leawere
20 Gareth Evans
21 Connor McLeod
22 Caleb Makene
23 Ollie SapsfordBrendon O'Connor unavailable due to concussion.
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@Number-10 Great, I think this is close to our best squad.
Funaki has been surprisingly good, although in a final I'd probably prefer the experience of O'Connor. I'm glad they went for McClutchie at 10, although Makene did well at 10 after that mare against BOP. Very happy Mikaele-Tu'u and Flanders aren't out with concussions symptoms; I know they both passed their HIA after the semi, but symptoms can also appear later. Also good to have Kereru-Symes back. I rather have him on the bench than Devery in case something happens to Dixon. The only thing I don't like is their continued preference for Sapsford over Toala. I know Sapsford is much bigger and adds more physicality, but I think Toala is the better player and combines better with McC.
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Can I ask what happened to mason emerson? Couple of seasons ago I thought he was superb but disappeared off the scene
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The line-up posted by @Number-10 has now been confirmed on the Magpies' facebook page!
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@family-man said in Championship Final - Hawke's Bay v Northland:
Can I ask what happened to mason emerson? Couple of seasons ago I thought he was superb but disappeared off the scene
He is in the squad. He primarily plays overseas in the off season - the US league playing fullback for the last couple of years.
The coaches have preferred Jonah Lowe this year on the left wing, and rightly so I think. He has shown what he is capable of when injury free.
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Stoked to see McClutchie starting. He is playing more and more like Aaron Cruden. While I am hoping for a blow-out for the home team, I'm expecting this to be a close game, so also glad that McClutchie seems to have been working hard on his goal kicking. 7 from 7 last week.
Weather should pass through today, leaving enough time for the ground to dry out before the game.
C'mon the Bay
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@Stockcar86 said in Championship Final - Hawke's Bay v Northland:
While I am hoping for a blow-out for the home team
why would you want a final to be a blowout?
While I'm hoping we will win, I am seeing HB getting about 40 points, and hoping we get about 30, but we havent scored too many with Hawkins at 10, so yeah...
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@Stockcar86 said in Championship Final - Hawke's Bay v Northland:
Stoked to see McClutchie starting. He is playing more and more like Aaron Cruden. While I am hoping for a blow-out for the home team, I'm expecting this to be a close game, so also glad that McClutchie seems to have been working hard on his goal kicking. 7 from 7 last week.
Weather should pass through today, leaving enough time for the ground to dry out before the game.
C'mon the Bay
? I missed the game between the two this year, did the black and white team beat the yellow and blue team?
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Very strong Hawkes Bay team that’s been named , to be be brutally honest , the team named for the final would currently beat most other teams across both divisions of the Mitre 10 Cup especially playing at home.
Personally if I was playing Hawkes Bay, I would play as much Rugby without the ball , and constantly play field position...and create pressure in their own half , easier said then done ..
One thing we know about this Northland team is , they play with a ton of heart , but the loss of Nock is huge ,and that’s no disrespect to Wil Grant who many have doubts is even the 3rd best halfback in the union.
Hoping it won’t be a blowout, but unfortunately this is a Magpies team that’s got all the cards well and truly stack in their favour and deservedly so. -
@Stargazer said in Championship Final - Hawke's Bay v Northland:
because the North Island Invitational XV beat our B team
