Northland Rugby 2022
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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.
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@taniwharugby said in Northland Rugby 2022:
Think this will be Te Whata-Colleys first game this season.
Are a few names in there I am keen to see goingforward.
I see what you did there
But really, I always get interested when going is on any rugby team sheet
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@taniwharugby said in Northland Rugby 2022:
Think this will be Te Whata-Colleys first game this season.
I believe he’s been playing for Panguru in the North Zone Comp
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Northland HP and North Harbour finish on level terms.
The Northland High Performance squad and the North Development finished on levels terms in what turned out to be a tight contest played at the Mahurangi Rugby Club in Warkworth on wednesday evening under lights
Northland coaches George Konia and Graham Dewes took the opportunity to roll out a mixture of experienced ,young and players who were rewarded through club form .
The Harbour Development team which has been together as a collective for several months started the stronger using their big ball carriers to get over the advantage line and using the inside ball with good effort .
The home side scoring after 8 minutes from a lineout drive intially breaking down the visitors with series of impressive forward charges .On the 20 minute mark Northland finally got some go forward and strung some phases together getting in behind Harbour , from the resulting phase a cross kick out to winger Josh Davis when things looked likely for the visitors ,however the crosskick was picked off by the impressive North Harbour left winger Tika Lelenga who ran 80 metres down the left flank to score despite a desperate chase from Reece Le Vavasour who did extremely well to get so close.
The Lelenga try was converted by Harbour first Phoenix Nofoa who was also a handful with his footwork during the opening half hour
At 14-0 down the visitors needed to strike back , and it would be 3 minutes before halftime break when they would finally crack what had been some staunch North Harbour defence.
From a 5 metre scrum ,number 8 Jacob Matiu got to within a couple of metres of the try line ,after series drives to right under crossbar the ball was shifted wide , not perfectly by any means but good enough for Josh Davis to squeeze across in the corner ,first five Dan Hawkins slotted an excellent conversion from the touchline to head into the halftime break at 7-14 down .
Justin Davies touched down after 12 minutes in the 2nd half after series forward charges close to the Harbour line , Hawkins added the extras to complete the match scoring
A much improved 2nd half from the Taniwha especially at scrum time , the only slight disappointment most of the rugby was played between the 22s with teams making unforced errors as the game progressed
Despite the effortFor the Northland HP , Waipu skipper Jonah Mau’u playing in the 7 jersey took the eye with an impressive display especially in and around workrate , hooker Ben Kauika Peterson was a bundle of energy during his time on the paddock in the first half turning up on at least a couple off occasions on defence
Kauika Peterson who has transfered North from Wellington looks a great pick up especially with lasts years Taniwha skipper Jordon Olsen unavailable.
Locks Tevita Faukafa and Kali Vaipulu along with Sam McNamara for the main were a great source of lineout ball ,but the also put a lot of pressure on the Harbour throw
Both were willing ball carriers ,Vailpulu who has the size to match looks a player of imense promise and his time at NPC will come rather sooner than laterIn the backs Heremia Murray who has been signed for 2022 season looked like a player who has time along with an excellent skillset
Josh Davis from Ngati Hine Uk/Moerewa also played well showing some niffty footwork ar times and finishing of his try expertlyReece La Vavasour showed some genunie power on at least couple of occasions bumping off players with consumate ease and that despite playing in the unfamiliar left wing position did well defensively .
Kalani Going also showed why he is one of the form midfielders running around in the Tyrepower Northland premier club comp scattering defenders when he took the ball into contact .
I also liked the look of Ryan Nankerville , offered something different especially when he slotted into first five ..
Matt Matich bought some great defensive hussle off the bench when he entered the fray in the 2nd half , and showed theres still plenty of experience and energy if requred when the final make up of the 2022 Northland Taniwha Squad is eventually announced.
Personally if it were my choice Matich would be one of my first loose forwards picked , hes too good a player to leave out in my opinion.Final Score
Northland HP 14
Josh Davis Try ,Justin Davies Try,Dan Hawkins 2 ConHarbour Dev 14
Try , Tika Lelenga Try ,Phoenix Nafoa 2 Con -
@Steven-Harris said in Northland Rugby 2022:
Matich would be one of my first loose forwards picked , hes too good a player to leave out in my opinion.
Sharks are a different team without him, have to be consistently the best loosie running around up here in club footy for years, and usually in our npc team too.
On that, I have heard he is not really favoured by our coaches as he challenges them, and from what I hear around the traps, they don't like being challenged by anyone, which says more about them if they can't handle people questioning tactics, selections etc.
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@taniwharugby , speaking to a friend who was at the Sharks v OBM game , he told me Matich only played in the first half and in his opinion it had a massive bearing on OBM getting across the line such Is his influence on the sharks ..had a brief chat Matt after the trial game and he confirmed he was only allowed to play 40 minutes .
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@Steven-Harris why was that?
It's a shortened club season, why are minutes being restricted?
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@taniwharugby I have no idea Matich is so fit , I have no doubt he could play back to back matches with no issues , besides I am not entirely sure if he played the full 40 in the 2nd half ..makes no sense .
I know Graham has a liking for Saimoni Uluinakauvadra, but he’s been injured for 15 months , just hope we are not making the same mistake we made with Kane Jacobson ..
Someone’s gonna be disappointed when it comes to picking those that loose forward mix
So far selected
Tom Robinson 6/lock
Rob Rush 6/7
Sam McNamara..I see Sam solely as a 6I suspect Uluinakauvadra will be signed
Which leaves 3 spots only .Tevita Faukafa
(A few issues in and around fitness , but will give you gain line as an 8 and can slip into lock )
Matt Matich ( No synopsis required ,we know what he brings)
Jonah Ma’uu ( has been a stand out in club and to be fair played well in the trial )
Jacob Matiu ( played 8 in the trial ,looks lighter than he’s ever been ,but once again we know what he brings )
Melino Fotu
( great one for the future in my opinion ,been in top form in club footy ,amazing athlete but from those in the know better ranging wide , was a little quiet in the trial , needs roll the sleeves up when the game gets tight )I would take Faukafa and Matich , the next is one is a toss up.
Never know with Graham, he’s probably got someone from the Drua lined up 😂 -
@Steven-Harris see I simply dont understand their thinking in that trial v NH.
Hawkins & Hohaia started...seriously, what is the point of starting these 2 together in a trial/development game?
We know exactly what these 2 bring, why not start Nankivell at 10 & Going? Was Bell from KK unavailble?
