Southland v Northland
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what do you say about a draw like that?
Southland looked capable of breaking us open in the 1st half, but werent quite able to, we managed to get a bit of a spark going once Goodhue got out there and straightened our line and carried strong.
Excellent game from Reihana, nice nice touches with all aspects of his game, defence, running and kicking, shame he couldnt slot that final kick, but overall a draw was probably the fairest result in that game.
Most of the pack had moments where they were bloody good, while also some they will not want to see again.
Starting front row was not great and our lineout was poor.
Pleased how MIlo-Harris is going, stepped into Nocks role quite well, only really one kick was poor being not deep enough, but does some good work otherwise.
Our starting mid-field was poor, didnt really get going, given they have played alot together at Kamo as well in the past, they dont seem to feed off one another, Goodhue was very good when he came on, Tua had a couple of nice touches, a couple of poor ones, otherwise anonymous.
Moorby certainly brings somethign, even if he struggled a bit in the openign 50 or so, but his wing, Murray was excellent, popped up all over the show to carry the ball, make a tackle, clean a ruck, and scored on both sides of the posts too.
Brady Rush was poor, some poor decisions and execution, chased well in teh 1st half, but that was about it.
Bench certainly helped us out though, mosty sorted our set peice, some scrums we still struggled though
motm poll
https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/topic/6167/northland-motm-v-southland -
Moral victory I guess with scoring two tries to nill? Totally agree J77, to get a draw down there 3rd game of storm week isn't easy, so deserves respect for sure.
Bloody good to be off the blob on the points table. Still remember that year when we lost every game, and managed a binus point at end of season while getting flogged (by Otago maybe?), and the crowd celebrated like we had won the game when the try was awarded. Sums up the life of a Northland fan. -
We definitely have that ability and foundation to tear teams a new one when we're in the mood. Just the basics and simple decisions are costing us at times.
Really want to see us back ourselves a bit more, play that enterprising Northland rugby we're usually known for.
We'll need to be firing on all cylinders come Saturday, as we have the Mako$, who have been a constant thorn in our arses since their inception back in 2006. Make the same mistakes as today and we'll cough up 50 easily..sort our shit and nourish the basics and we could be capable of a victory.. -
@taniwharugby yeah the last few he went ok and did notice some of the other guys talking him through it. Probably being a little harsh but the scrummaging is definitely going to be a work on for him. Also is in the squad as injury cover so probably not prepared as much as the others.
Speaking of front rowers - how good was Jack Taylor the hooker from Southland. Looks a good prospect.
Happy with the lock rotation now, LHE and Sweetman both get stuck in. Caird very good player but weirdly for a lock makes a good impact player.
Reihana and Murray hadn't started the season like they were playing last year but they were back pretty close today
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Just watched the game. That was a banana game for us - horrible weather, 3 games in a week. In the end a draw was ok.
Thought the week showed in the forwards who were a little off. Still great physically but lineout was horrible and our 2nd props started making scrum weaker.
The backline was much better for me - not perfect but better. Reihana was excellent, as was Murray and Harris. We look so much better with Moorby at back. Interesting decision not to start Goodhue? Maybe just managing his fitness with knee.
Southland don’t offer much but solid set piece, good D. That type of weather suits their game.
When all our players are back we will still lack a player with extreme pace. But having got some games under our belt now, be good to see us kick on and continue to improve across the season.
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@J77 said in Southland v Northland:
What happens with this trophy? Shared, or last year's winner keeps it??
We retain it
Don't forget to vote in polls everyone, haven't had many voting
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Stags and Taniwha share the spoils in golden bore
There is winning ugly. Then there is drawing with the ugliness of a thousand axolotls. Southland battled to a 15-15 deadlock with Northland this...
Even if you disagree with the assessment at least the writer isn't following the same bland formula. The ODT does a decent job with their rugby coverage
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@J77 yeah as I said yesterday, draw was probably the fairest result.
They were good at set piece but largely uncreative, we were lacking in direction and accuracy, we were mix of poor and good in patches but also put together 2 very good tries, although the 2nd one, you have to question why Hape took it from BKP when he did, with the maul still moving forward BKP looked like he was almost close enough to fall over the line to score, in a slightly better spot for the conversion.
Interestingly, last year, Murray was a part of most of our better tries too, I do wonder if maybe pushing him to his supposedly more preferred spot at 13, alongside Goodhue and push Tua to the wing, givev he has been largely anonymous so far, he might be better wider where he can use his speed.
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Not much endeavour shown in that extra time by either side.
Bring back the drop goal shootout after extra time!
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Why bother with extra time at all? A draw was as a fair reflection of the game at fulltime as it was after extra.
