The Bay v Northland

[J77]

@taniwharugby nice to see you’ve removed all our problem children from that lineup. Someone with common sense for once!

[ARHS]

@Duluth said in The Bay v Northland:

Worth noting the unusual kickoff time for this midweek game - 4:05pm on Wednesday

Will go along... If I can find parking within a kilometre.

[kev]

@taniwharugby I think Macalai has a lot to offer if we play the right game plan. Big if.

[taniwharugby]

team I have heard:

Adams, BKP, Tu'ungafasi
Goodhue, Caird
Hallam-Eames, Matich, Mau'u
MIlo-Harris, Reihana
Going, Tua
Macilai, Moorby, Leilua

Wright, O'Donnell, Puafisi, Matiu, Rush, Hape, Hawkins, Murray

Word I am hearing, depending on fitness for the final RR game, this may well be Wrights last run for Northland...hope our boys lift to give him a fine send off (much like when they lifted for Rangers hundy last year v Waikato)

[Duluth]

@taniwharugby

Would that be Hallam-Eames first start in the loosies?

[taniwharugby]

@Duluth as far as I can recall, although TBH I think last year I had suggested him at 6 with that locking duo as an option.

Almost like Konia following Fozzies blueprint

Great to see Going finally get a start.

[J77]

Not a bad side bar Leilua, but a good opportunity for some others. Great to see big Ofa back. Whilst not expecting to win I am expecting a much improved effort.

Be interesting to see what BOP does with their team now.

[KiwiPie]

I think this will be almost a complete second string team on Wednesday for the Bay, maybe with some guns on the bench. Not through taking the game lightly but just to ensure the first XV is ready to roll for the next 2 or possibly 3/4 weekends. We do have some depth, especially in the pack so hopefully the team will be good enough.

Everyone will be hoping we don't finish top to avoid a potential home semi-final at Tga Domain not being able to be played at night.

[Winger]

@KiwiPie said in The Bay v Northland:

Everyone will be hoping we don't finish top to avoid a potential home semi-final at Tga Domain not being able to be played at night.

?

[bayimports]

[Duluth]

[Duluth]

[bayimports]

@Duluth second team it is with a couple of normal starters

[ARHS]

@bayimports Seems risky by the Steamers. Northland far stronger on paper now. I have taken the day off to go - and am now regretting it.

[bayimports]

@ARHS said in The Bay v Northland:

@bayimports Seems risky by the Steamers. Northland far stronger on paper now. I have taken the day off to go - and am now regretting it.

I agree especially since we are not guaranteed a quarter final yet, we need at least one bonus point to do this. Seems a risky play.

Personally I would have gone all out for this and then run the second team for Waikato since it won't be a shield challenge.

[J77]

@ARHS said in The Bay v Northland:

@bayimports Seems risky by the Steamers. Northland far stronger on paper now. I have taken the day off to go - and am now regretting it.

Have no fear. Us Northlanders know our team well, if any side can trip up to your 2nd XV it’s us.. trust me.

[taniwharugby]

@J77 yep...and if we somehow do pull it off (which on paper, we are more than capable) we are then just as likely to turn around and give Manawatu thier first win of the season

[bayimports]

I'm not betting against my own team but 2.90 H2H for Northland is outrageous given those teams named

[fidz71]

OMG... so THE Bay have handed us a lifeline by selecting a virtual B Team. God bless you lads. Best Northland side we have put up for a few weeks too. Didn't give us a hope until I saw the two teams named just now.

Still, the wheels have fallen off the Taniwha wagon big time since that Auckland win. Just hope they fire tomorrow and give themselves a shot at making the quarters.

One thing's for sure... if we manage to win this and then somehow sneak into the finals, the Steamers will be off Ta$man's (or maybe Auckland's) Christmas card list this year.

[Chris B.]

@fidz71 Always hard to decide which Bay team to hate more!