Northland Club Rugby 2023
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Morewa/Kawakawa hosted Hikurangi last night and had a nice win
Games today
Huge upset with KK rolling top the table HHz otherwise oter results going as expected, although kamo 59-0 over Wellsford a big surprise.
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Today's results went as expected aside From HH being upset be Kk today, and kamo unexpectedly smoking Wellsford 59-0, HH now drop from 1 to 4 as the top 4 starts to look more certain
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so all bar 1 game went to script today, which was Morewa/Kawakawa rolling the Sharks in Kaihu (Dargaville)
I went along to Kamo (3) v HH (4) and the game sadly was not as tight as I had hoped with Kamo taking the lollies 38-17.
Game was very niggly from the outset, with Tiaki Smith (HH) at the centre of it as always.
He ended up getting a YC only minutes after being penalised for a high tackle, when he then charged in shoulder only on someone, what made it worse was Bruce Kauika-Peterson was egging him on and rarking up the ref and AR, after the YC he was spoken to by the ref, along with another HH player, and to add insult to injury, Blake Hohaia was in Smiths face clapping and laughing as he was being carded, I really hate the way players do this.
Was actually one of the better games I have seen by Blake, strong defence, even showed he still has some wheels running 80m to score after an attacking kick (infected club footy too) by Hawkins went awry and Kamo pounced, beat a man and passed to Hohaia, he made several other breaks, but unsurprisingly, he received a YC when the team was on a warning, but game was won then anyway.
Kamo's Nikau Graham at 10 shows glimpses of absolute class, but lacks consistency and probably carrying a few too many kgs too.
Lyric Joyce fired up today, put in some big hits and he and HH's Smith clashed a few times.
HH missing 2 of thier preferred front row (BKP playing at 8 still) and they got smashed up front most of the game, and this is what gave Kamo a huge edge.
HH were also missing Tama Anderson at the back, missing his organisation and pace bringing the ball back.
For Kamo, along with Hohaia, Puru Aboagye at 6, Matt Elia at 8 were both busy, Ben Monaghan was also prominent at lock.
Werent too many standouts for HH, Hawkins had some nice touches, but also when chasing the game, trying a bit hard ended up costing points as well.
Mid Northern just keep marching on, and I'm not seeing anyone at the moment who might be able to stop them.
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A largely predictable round today, with the top sides consolidating thier spot at the top, although Hikurangi gave the Sharks a hurry up and were leading in the final quarter.
I went along to watch HH host OBM, and it was literally a game of 2 halves, with HH totally dominant in the opening half leafing 21-3 while the 2nd was much more even as OBM clawed back into the game.
HH getting back closer to full strength, and did dominate up front for most of the game.
I do like the way BKP plays, but he does like to moan to the ref a bit much.
Melino Foto back at the boot of the scrum was industrious as always, while Tama Anderson kept things under control from the back and certainly looks a smart player, although he was the one to receive a YC for several earlier infringements by his team mates around 75mins.
For OBM, Jarod Byrnes back in what I think is his best spot at 7 was excellent, very busy, carries, although expect he'll be sore after copping a heavy legal tackle from the back as he was hit from the front initially too and was slow getting back in position.
Young Nathan Salmon playing at FB today was always a threat with the ball, and also had the kicking duties but had a period of 3 poor kicks (one from a pen that missed touch and then 2 kicks out on full, one touch finder and then a restart) in a 5 min period, which did result in a try being conceded.
Both sides had some really good periods of play resulting in a pretty good game though.
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A few tough ones to pick today, but largely wont impact the top 4 aside from maybe some position swapping, although if results go as I expect, unlikely
HH should comfortably account for Waipu, athough they are a different beast with Jonah Mau'u and Rory Woods playing (side not yet named but both played last week)
Battle of the North as KK host Morewa/Kawakawa, this could be a good game for the 2 northern sides, M/KK have been travelling well so wouldnt be surprised to see them sneak past KK.
Sharks should take OBM, although they have been a mixed bag this year, and I am unsure if they are still missing Matich this week, if so, an improving OBM will test them, although likely still fall short.
Hikurangi could get past Wellsford who arent really travelling well.
Game of the round is Kamo (2) v Mid Northern (1) which will likely give an indication if anyone will be able to stop MN this year. Earlier at MN, Kamo were soundly beaten, although there were some off field issues with coaching and injuries for Kamo, while today they have named close to full strength, as have MN with both thier super rugby players, Rush & Apoua in the 23, along with Brady Rush returning too
For the sake of the comp, Kamo needs to win, if not, MN going back to back is almost a given.
Both these teams have been named https://www.northlandrugby.co.nz/matchcentre/3341377
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So results largely as anticipated
HH 21 Waipu 5
Kerikeri 31 Moerewa-Kawakawa 19
Sharks 29 OBM 8
Hikurangi 27 Wellsford 29
Kamo 13 Mid Northern 12I went along to Kamo v MN, and it started as it played for pretty much 80, with both teams just hammering one another into the soggy ground!
MN forced an error in the opening minute and spent 5 or 6 mins on attack but the Kamo d held and eventually they were able to get down the other end, but it wasnt until almost 20 mins before Nikau Graham picked up the 1st points off his boot.
Only a few minutes later, young wing Kiwi Duncan struck for the visitors and the successful conversion saw them take the lead 7-3, which would stay the same until about 60 mins when after relentless pressure, Kamo opened the defence and centre Pat Elia ran in under the posts to take the lead back.
The last 10 was pretty frantic with MN hitting back with an unconverted try to lead 12-10, and the 75th minute Kamo picked up what would be the match winning penalty.
BUt the drama wasnt over, with Kamos winger failing to take a pass off a MN kick, resulting in an attacking scrum in the 22 for MN, which eventually won them a penalty.
Up stepped young Jade Stewart for what should have been a regulation 3 points, and surely victory with less than 5 on the clock, but an awful kick saw it sail low and wide, giving Kamo the breathing room they needed for a good win.
The scrum battle swung back and forth with both sides winning penalties there, but Kamos lineout was again a bit of an issue with MN nabbing several crucial throws.
Was a really good game to watch, despite the low scoring, some brutal defence and great interplay, plenty of willing runners with willing defenders waiting to knock them back.
For Kamo, Lyric Joyce was good and physical on both sides, as was Puru Aboagye, Kobe Walters, Blake Hohaia carried strongly into contact and made some good decisions with the boot, while Nikau Graham controlled things at 10, despite several very late hits in the 1st 10.
For MN, despite the missed kick, Jade Stewart played well, Rob Rush and Alan Craig were very busy, with the latter putting in a few very strong tackles, Jordan Olsen was into everything as usual, halfback Kelly Rush showed patches of being a very good 9, Brady Rush didnt get many chances, but has plenty of gas.
One thing I didnt enjoy (and not exclusive to this game) was after any error how opposition rush in and chahoo or cheer in the face of the opposition, I get the emotion and feeling, but jeez some of the chat I've noticed this year is over the top, and my least favorite Northland player of the past few years is usually central to it all, and was involved in one today. To thier credit, both teams seemed to stop the chahooing in the 2nd spell and played rugby!
All in all, a bloody good game, likely a preview of the final, as the 2 teams swapped table positions and the Sharks and HH consolidated thier spots in the top 4 and with KK rolling Moerewa/UKK, some breathing space of 7 points between 4th and 5th.
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Expected results today, with MN, Kamo and Sharks all consolidating thier positions at the top, HH falling to the Sharks, and while Wellsfords win today gets them in striking distance of the top 4, HH should be safe with Hikurangi next week.
I went along to watch OBM host Wellsford.
Both teams played some good rugby but with the heavy ground after yet more rain this week, there were plenty of handling errors.
Inside the final minute it was locked up at 27-27, but a Wellsford break saw them open up the defence and run in a try from half way to seal it.
Wellsford lead 22-7 at the break, with a good wind at thier back, which eased in the 2nd spell providing OBM little help.
For Wellsford, the 9-10 combo of Winiana and Te Haara look pretty sharp, and played drove thier team aound well, particularly in the 1st half.
Wing Dylan Lewis scored a couple of nice tries and looked lively on the wing, number 8 Brady Foster was excellent with ball in hand but made several crucial handling errors after bustign tackles or making a good run.
For OBM, MItchell Reader was again excellent in the mid-field, just a smart player who runs good lines and runs hard, he spotted a mis-match with Ross Wright in the mid-field and ran round him, fed it to Nathan Salmon who beat 3 or 4 players on his 50m run to the tryline.
Salmon was a huge threat with ball in hand, often beating at least the 1st defender, doesnt shy away from the defensive work either.
Jarod Byrnes was very good from 8 for OBM, works tirelessly on both sides, and has a great turn of pace.
Scrum battle was a mixed effort, with both sides taking thier time winning the battle.
A pretty good game despite both sides making a few too many handling errors.
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as you'd expect this late in the season, the stronger sides keep on winning and the results today followed the plan with Kamo rolling KK, MN beating the Sharks, and HH won by default to an injury ravaged Hikurangi to round out the top 4.
The MN v Sharks game will be repeated again next week in the semi, then Kamo hosting KK, whihc was the game i went to.
Kamo were able to call on Tamati Tua at 12 today, while KK had the services of Sam Nock, although he started at 15.
Recipe was simple for Kamo, win and finish top, and after 30 mins, Kamo were up 22-3...it would stay this way through the half time break, and by about 75 mins, it was 22 -20, but a high late shoulder by KK's workhorse lock, O'Neal Rongo saw him carded and moments later Kamo scored in the corner to seal the deal 27-20.
Was a great battle at 9 between Donald BOyd and Sam Parkes for KK, both strong physical 9s, probably a points win to Parkes, largely due to his work off the ball and finding himself in the right place on cover.
Tamati Tua didnt get alot of ball, but showed some nice soft skills with pop passes and also a couple of cracking long cut out passes, still has his tendancy on defence to go into the contact hard and bounces off.
Matt Elia was busy off the back on the scrum for Kamo, while Pisi Leilua directed things well from the back, while for the most part Hohaia played well as a running 10, think they needed someone to direct them better in the 2nd spell when they almost gave up their lead.
As above, Donald Boyd was again pretty good, and probably the most consistent of the 9s I have seen this season.
For KK, O'Neal Rongo has a huge workrate, reads the lineout plays well and managed to steal a few, while mid-fielder Tevita Naburo looks like someone I'd love to have playign for Northland. While he didnt get alot of chances, what he did, he did well, ran hard and straight, made some good strong tackles and also goes looking for work.
Sam Parkes went well at 9, has a great kickign game and is someone I think Northland have had thier eye on, interestingly, Sam Nock was very good at 15, a few positioning issues (stood too deep IMO) but showed a very good kicking game along with good pace and ability running it back, had one good run after taking the ball in his 22, beating the 1st defender and running downfield and passing it with about 30m to go to Parkes who ran in a try.
Next week Kamo v HH (reckon Kamo to take it)
MN v Sharks (MN to take it)
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@taniwharugby I would hope Parks and Boyd are on the Northland coaches radar if there are injuries in the 9 jerseys
I am really surprised Nabura is not in the mix when it comes to outside backs
Really appreciate your club reports -
@Steven-Harris
I thought I saw him named today in the Heartland East Coast team. -
@Pepe looks that way...as many know, I am no fan of Hohaia, although TBF he is playing the best I have seen him thus far for Kamo and I hear he might be called into northland for injury cover, I think Nabura would be a far better option as he plays mid field and wing.
What I have seen at Club, I like Mitchell Reader at 12 too (some googling would appear he made a blues schoolboy squad 9 years ago with Sam McNamara, so he would be about 25) as someone who plays smart and runs straight.
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King Country are short of mid fielders at the moment (to be fair we are short of most positions), so perhaps we should offer Hohaia a Heartland contract? We get a handy player at this level and you don't have to anguish over him. A win/win scenario if I ignore the fact he plays for Kamo...
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Semi Final time:
no teams yet for HH of the sharks
Kamo v Hora Hora
Kamo
Todd McDowell, Mason Hohaia, Iose Brown
Todd Scotland, Ben Monaghan
Puru Aboagye, Lyrik Joyce, Matt Elia
Donald Boyd, Nikau Graham
Blake Hohaia, Patrick Elia
Dylan Hook, Jayden Leaupepe, Pisi Leilua
Reserves
Zak Wickman, Vaughan Clyma, Kurt Benney, Jordan Antunovich, Kobe Walters, Waitangi Neho, Kalib MacDonaldLives coring
Mid Northern v Sharks
Mid Northern
Chris Apoua, JT Pont-Bellamy, Remsy Lemisio
Luke Edwards, Allan Craig
Jordan Olsen, Zach Shanks, Robert Rush
RKelly Rush, Jade Stewart
Jordan Le Vavasour, Chad Boyed
Kiwi Duncan, Ratu Mara, Brady Rush
Reserves
Valance Yates, Ricki Heremaia, Jack Colbourne, Jacob Coleman, Daniel Potter, Kobie Scutt, Judah AndrewsLivescoring
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Finally some sunshine out for some rugby today, and looking at the score in the other semi, the 2 best teams dominated and scored some tries.
Kamo beat HH 39-17 (up 17-10 at half time) while in the other game, MN accounted for the Sharks 44-8 (27-8 at half time)
I went along to the Kamo- HH game, and a good crowd were treated to a good game; HH opened the scoring first, with Kamo hitting back almost immediately and while things were tight at the break, Kamo were looking dangerous with ball in hand and both sides putting in some huge hits on defence.
But it was strikes in the 34th and 37th minute by Kamo that did the damage, one with a superb solo try from Blake Hohaia with a kick and chase to score by the posts, then a great run form deep by Pisi Leilua who put his wing in space only to get the ball back to allow him to go over in the corner.
It took another 15 mins or so for Kamo to strike again, but it was an excellent one from wing Dylan Hook before Blake Hohaia, in probably the best form I have ever seen him in, struck again for Kamo to all but put the game out of reach.
For Kamo, Blake Hohaia back at 12 had probably the best game I have seen from him at club rugby good decisions, good lines, running hard and strong defence, while Pisi Leilua was dangerous from the back, while up front Puru Aboyage, Iose Brown and Kobe Walters put had hard shoulders againt the hard running HH players that just kept coming.
For HH they put up a good fight for 50 mins with the scrum battle reasonably even for long parts, despite HH still with only 1/3 of thier preferred front row starting.
Tiaki Smith, once again showing he is a mongrel and a bit of a dick, lucky not to get a YC when a brawl erupted after Kauika-Peterson put in a high tackle, also lucky not to get a YC.
Tama Anderson was the pick of the backs for HH, showing some nice touches and scoring a cracker of an 80m try in the 1st half, while up front BKP was energetic as always, prop Tahi Subritzky was always willing to carry and make his tackles, but #7 Connor GUest was probably the pick of thier pack with his work.
Sets up a mouth watering final at Okara Park next week between Kamo and Mid Northern, who beat one another at home in the 2 matches they played.
Kamo probably punching up, and are playing as a team, while MN probably have the best players on paper, cant wait!!
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@taniwharugby spoke to a contact who was at the Mid Northern v Western Sharks game , Matt Matich did not play due to hamstring issue hope it’s not to serious .
The speed in which Mid Northern were able to recycle their ball was a massive difference between the 2 teams the number of players that are in the Northland HP S&C also stood out ,Sharks also lost 2 props within the first 40 so ended up going to golden oldy scrums ,
Some real lessons for many in the Sharks group , that Tuesday and Thursday trainings just don’t cut it anymore if you want to be competitive -
@Steven-Harris they also literally flew (by chopper from Dargaville to Hukerenui) in some of their Div 1 team to make sure they had a full bench.
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Kamo at full strength, dont think they have any injuries I can think of, nor quibble with the selection.
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Mid Northern also named what looks a full strength team, cant think of any starters out inured, although 2nd week running they have started one of thier props at hooker.
Northland Rugby Union
Northland Rugby Union
