Northland Rugby 2022
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Some interesting results today, none more so that Waipu picking up a draw v Mid Northern, big result really, MN would have been heavy favorites.
I went along to OBM v HH, which was OBMs first game at thier new home at Pohe Island and with Matt Harrison playing his 200th match.
Game was a bit scrappy, very damp 1st half, and despite OBM dominating almost all facets of the game, they turned at halftime tied 5-5.
2nd spell, against the run of play HH gone on the board 1st with a 60m try, then 10 mins later a 50m intercept, which set them up to seal what I expect was seen by most as an upset win, although HH started without 3 of thier starting pack.
For HH, Esile Fono was thier best, in fact, best on the park. Is in the Northland HP Squad as a prop, but started this game at 8, but as HH was getting mullered at scrumtime, he moved into the front row, is a very tall rangy prop, but runs and hits hard and good work rate, still a bit to leanr at scrumtime, but could be good off the bench at higher levels if he gets a shot.
Melino Foto at 7 was everywhere, huge workrate while young Tama Anderson with some nice touches at FB, on attack, defence and his boot.No one really stood out in OBM, which says something really given thier dominance in the opening 40. What was noticeable was that thier scrum was massively dominant in the 1st half, they subbed off prop Tom Stevens and HH had almost parity, Stevens went back on, and OBM got the upper hand again. A few players had some nice touches here and there, but all in all they will be very disappointed with the result, as I reckon if a few passes had stuck in the opening half, the end result woulda been different.
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A very nice win for the boys from Te Mai Road. Is your favourite Taniwha 1st five still playing for them?
And is Moerewa/UK dealing to Wellsford a bit of surprise or not? -
@Pepe haha yes he still steering the good ship HH...
Nah wellsford not that strong at moment, surprisingly Ross Wright started today, despite a RC last week...but they probably should have won, but not that surprised MUKK got up, have a couple of old warriors in Buster Tahere and Aorangi Stokes driving the pack, Ryan Nankivell at 10 looks a talent.
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Northland ref Boris Jurlina with his 200th game
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a couple of potential crackers for this weekend.
Kamo v Sharks
Hora Hora v WaipuWill likely go to Kamo v Sharks as it is 2nd v 3rd.
Unsure on the default of Keri Keri, as the reserve game is showing as still on.
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Kerikeri Snrs had no front row and other injuries according to their F/Book page.
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Another reasonably tight round again today, with the 2 previously unbeaten teams, Kamo & Hora Hora losing home games.
I went along to the Kamo v Sharks game today, expecting a cracker, and was not disappointed!!
Sharks were bolstered by the return of Matt Matich at 8 and Tevita Fa'ukafa off the bench.
Although it didnt start well for Matich shelling the first kick-off from Kamo.
Kamo jumped out to a 14 nil lead, before the Sharks fought back, then the lead see sawed until Kamo after turning down several easy goal attempts in the first spell, took a long range one from half way to regain the lead at 31-28 with about 10 to go.
But the relentless attack from the Sharks saw thier fullback Aseri break a tackle and sprint 20m under the posts to take what was to be the match winning try.
Kamo had plenty of ball in the closing minutes as they tried to score, but the Sharks defence held firm, in fact the defence of both teams at time was awesome, some huge hits from both sides.
Not alot between the teams though, a bounce here or there and the result could easily have gone the other way.
For Kamo, Nihau Graham was very good, particularly in the 1st half, running and today even his kicking was good, including the 50m 2nd half penalty, was one of the best games I have seen from Hohaia at club footy, made a couple of his usual errors, but was otherwise good. Prop Iose Brown was strong at scrumtime, while hitting very hard on defence.
For the Sharks, despite the initial drop, Matich was very good, made huge metres off the back of the scrum in the 1st half, I think he scored a nice try too, but was too far away for me to see if it was him
I do like Aseri at the back, although he didnt get alot of chances, for a little guy, he isnt afraid to have a crack, similarly Lucas Payne, was hoping to see him with ball in hand today, but he didnt get much at all, but not afraid to mix it up with the forwards.
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Interesting Milo-Harris named, but Tua not, Alan Craig also not although don't think I seen him on MN team sheets so possibly injured.
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some good games this weekend which will start to give a better idea of the top 4:
Western Sharks (1) v Mid Northern (2) should be a cracker, top of the table clash and a repeat of last years final, Sharks coming off a tight physical win over Kamo, while MN had a default win last week v KK.
Waipu (5) v OBM (6) should be a good scrap with both sides pushing to move into and keep in touch with the top 4 as I expect 3 of the top 4 to pick up a win on the weekend.
I'm not going to any of these games, instead heading along to watch WBHS face Massey in the 1st 15 comp.
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as expected, 3 of the top 4 came through; MN, Kamo & HH
Moerewa/United Kawakawa cruising along under the radar, with a big win over Hikurangi to keep in touch with the top 4, as did Waipu as they snuck past OBM.
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The season is starting to take shape now, but a couple of pivotal matches; HH (3) v Sharks (5) & Waipu (4) Moerewa/United Kawa Kawa (6)
Mid Northern (1) & Kamo (2) should both record wins, and I think Sharks will get up over HH and Waipu will be too strong for Moerewa/United Kawa Kawa.
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Massive upset today with bottom of the table Wellsford playing away, toppling top of the table Mid Northern, and looking at the online scoring, they lead from start to finish.
I got out to watch Kamo-Hikurangi, having not seen the latter play yet this season.
Pretty good game too, and inside the final 10 looked like another upset was on the cards, but a nicely taken try by Tamati Tua got Kamo back on track and they ended up taking away a deserved BP from Hikurangi, who look a much better side than thier (now) bottom of the table postion would indicate, as the lead changed several times in the 2nd half.
For Kamo, halfback Jake Strang had his best outing that I have seen, ran it from the base and was a threat for Kamo, while 19 (I think) year old, 78kg winger Quinn Osborne was excellent for Kamo, nabbing 2 tries and showing huge heart on defence making his tackles. Tamati as you'd expect shines at this level, particularly in the final quarter when Kamo were trailing his physicality and pace was needed.
For Hikurangi, fullback Taylor Reedy was excellent, good positioning, handy boot but his gliding run and turn of pace was great to watch as he peeled off large metres, #7 Jarvaiyas Mangu was very good in the first half, physical and a nuisance at the breakdown, but wasnt as prominent in the 2nd, but looks a handy player.
Thought the ref was bloody good too, controlled things well.
I thought Sharks would be too strong for HH, but another game where the lead see-sawed, and Sharks looked to be leading near the end but HH stealing it to move into 2nd.
KK winning away to OBM was another result I didnt pick.
Waipu v Ngati Hine Morewa/United Kawakawa got 2 points each as Waipu had 11+ players down with covid.
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@taniwharugby no Blake Hohaia deck ..?,
Just a quick question about the Lawson brothers at Lock Hikurangi ..are they sizeable boys ..? -
@Steven-Harris Blake walking the sideline as PLayer/coach...didnt have a visible limp or injury that I could see, and given Laupepe wasnt in the 23, I expect he would have been in the 23 if he was fit?? Nikau Graham did get hit late and hurt his shoulder and he went off about 30 mins in the 1st half.
TBH I didnt really notice them, but thier lineout had the better of Kamo (although Kamo lineout is poor...)
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@Steven-Harris said in Northland Rugby 2022:
@taniwharugby no Blake Hohaia deck ..?,
Just a quick question about the Lawson brothers at Lock Hikurangi ..are they sizeable boys ..?No, they’re not big for locks.
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Interesting round coming up:
- Sharks should be too strong for OBM who have struggled so far this season
- HH are playing well and should win, but Wellsford come off a morale boosting upset over MN last week away
- MN should be too strong for Hika and will want to bounce back from thier shock loss last week
- Ngati Hine playing well at home, while Kamo sit at the top of the table, should be a tight contest, think Ngati Hine could sneak it, as thier lineout should be all over the Kamo one which has struggled for the past 2 seasons - Heremaia Murray up against Tamati Tua would have been a good match up too!
- KK v Waipu is a tough one, KK with a surprise win away v OBM last week, Waipu have had alot of players out with Covid in the past 2 weeks, so could be a factor, all things being 'normal' I would expect Waipu to nab this one
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Went as I expected bar OBM upsetting the Sharks, dropping them from 3rd to 6th.
A couple of bigger scores this week, Waipu getting a big win over KK, MN did bounce back v Hika.
Kamo's narrow loss sees them drop from 1st to 3rd.
She's pretty wide open, with only 6 points seperating 1st and 6th
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Think this will be Te Whata-Colleys first game this season.
Are a few names in there I am keen to see going forward.
