Northland v Taranaki
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@Duluth not really, other than the Nock and Craig ones not quite as bad as initially thought, but still a couple of games at least.
I am thinking:
Rebolo, BKP, Adams
Caird, Hallam-Eames
Rush, Matich, Woods
Milo-Harris, Reihana
Tua, Goodhue
Murray, Moorby, RushOlsen, Apoua, Lemisio, Sweetman, Mau'u, Hape, Hawkins, Ranger
If Moorby unavailable still, I expect Hohaia at 12, Tua to slide to wing.
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@Duluth unsure, Steven Harris will likely come through with an update soon. Nock, Craig and Leilua all looked quite serious.
Hopefully Moorby is good to go, we sure need him.
I'm predicting another pumping to be honest, as I've just seen the Naki team...
15: Perofeta
14: JRK
13: Grindlay
12: Walden
11: Tikoisolomone
10: Jacomb
9: Crowley
8: Sowakula
7: Florence
6: Boshier
5: Cunningham
4: Parete
3: R O'Neill
2: Riccitelli
1: Proffit16: Slater
17: Stewart
18: M O'Neill
19: Bedwell-Curtis
20: Samerivi
21: Lennox
22: Mckenzie
23: Ratu -
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Northland has a decent recent record v Taranaki. The two sides have been alternating who wins since 2015
Northland v Taranaki since 2015:
Although it's Taranaki's turn to win
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@taniwharugby definitely seeing this as their big test for the week.
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@taniwharugby surely Olsen comes in for BKP? His throwing was a big step down from Moulds and it has hardly been Moulds strong point historically.
Will be interesting to see how we approach this game. 2nd game of the season seems too early to be resting people but 3 games in a week after one pre season game seems a big ask
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@Chiefy07 no idea, I thought Olsen shoulda been on bench on weekend!
I dont think it is resting as much, but while the old one game at a time cliche, I think the Southland game is one they wil have been targetting...
Actually, Rory probably wont get a run, will be Saimoni if they make the change.
Injury will force some changes, obviously potentially 2 players off the injury ward and we could have 5 changes already....
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@Duluth said in Northland v Taranaki:
Interesting that Perofeta is staying at fullback even though Potroz is not in the side
Jacomb is a handy young 1st 5. Injuries to some of their outside backs might dictate who plays where. Rona is still injured, and no Naholo either.
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Team to play Taranaki
15, Kobie Scutt (debut)
14 Brady Rush
11 Heremaia Murray
13 Tamati Tua
12 Jack Goodhue
10 Dan Hawkins
9 Lisati Milo Harris8 Matt Matich
7 Saimoni Uluinakauvadra
6 Rob Rush
5 Liam Hallam Eames
4 Sam Caird
3 Chris Apoua
2 Jordon Olsen
1 Jarred Adams16 Matt Moulds
17 Rob Cobb
18 Remsey Lemisio
19 Sean Sweetman
20 Jonah Ma'u
21 Trent Hape
22 Rivez Reihana
23 Rene Ranger
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Interesting decision to go with Scutt at FB, he was playing 10 and 15 for MN although I think he has been on the radar for a while, although again, thought he was primarily a 10 (unsure where he played when he was at Kelston)
Not sure what this does for the likes of Anderson, given he played FB all season for HH and part of the squad, yet they go outside the squad for Scutt (given Leslies involvement, I assume these calls from others at NR)
Not to mention, I think I'd have dropped Reihana to 15 and bring Scutt off the bench.
All that being said, it is great they have promoted a talented local youngster, hope he goes great guns!
As to other changes, interesting, thought Mau'u went well, but did look gassed so maybe they intend bringing him on for the final quarter, rest were expected really.
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@taniwharugby happy for Kobie ,but this is going to be a massive step up for the young fella but at least hes progressed through the pathway .
With Pisi Leilua gone for the season i really would love to see union throw caution to the wind and pull Western Sharks fullback Aseri Vaituinaruku back in as fullback/wing cover hes got ex factor and pulls something out of nothing every time he plays , heard he was outstanding in the Dev trial on Sunday .Not sure of his visa status , but man alive we need to do something different even some current Northland players find his omission puzzling .
We have tried the conservative route for far too long without yeilding results
Inoke Tavutu the fijian 6 from Western Sharks is another who apparently was very good as well
I remember watching Inoke about 2 or 3 seasons ago for the playing for the Northland Dev squad v Auckland Dev who had 12 players with NPC and Super Rugby experience , Tavutu came of the bench with 20 to go and caused some damage against a big Auckland pack , probably should have started
I realise this is probably pie in the sky stuff , but i look at Raikabula Moedonudonu from Waipu who was selected ahead of Inoke 3 seasons ago , offered nothing and then left the province , went to the Drua never to be seen again , 3 years later Tavutu still loyal to the Sharks and Northland Dev squad ..
Sorry i’m in a bitchy mood after Saturday -
@Steven-Harris yeah Inoke is certainly someone to look at if Craig is out for season, Sharks games i saw he carries well and is a strong defender.
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@taniwharugby Maybe even Tevita Faukafa who also played in the Dev trial , Allen has a rotator cuff issue , those can be niggly depending on the degree of damage .
Big workload ahead for Caird and Hallam Eames , be interesting to see how Sean Sweetman goes , happy for him hes a good bugger
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