2016 Northland Mitre 10 Cup Squad.

taniwharugby

another beating 49-26 (BOP may have even hit 40 by HT?)....I know it is just pre-season and 99% of the time, it means jack (one year we had 2/3 wins IIRC and then came dead last) but this aint good for getting players into a bit of form and confidence as we build to the season proper, and it wont endear fans to get out and support them either.
 
I dont wanna start pointing fingers so soon, but you gotta look at the guys running the show if we start so poorly again...last year I was forgiving because new coaching team in at short notice, new systems etc, but theyve had the whole last year, the off-season and able to select the players they want who they think will suit thier systems....
 
I hope I'm not getting De ja vu again from that period where we had a pretty long consecutive run of losses...

kev

Comments on Facebook say that the Bay finals are this weekend so the presumption is they didn't have their full squad - and yet the half time score was 42 - 12. So one presumes they gave their C team a run and we scored some points. 
So I think this result is a disaster. After last season we needed to have started firing in these games to build confidence. Something is wrong and now is the time to sort it....

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kev" data-cid="603215" data-time="1470379289">
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Comments on Facebook say that the Bay finals are this weekend so the presumption is they didn't have their full squad - and yet the half time score was 42 - 12. So one presumes they gave their C team a run and we scored some points. 
So I think this result is a disaster. After last season we needed to have started firing in these games to build confidence. Something is wrong and now is the time to sort it....
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</blockquote>
 
conceding nigh on 100 points, me thinks defence :(

kev

Yes defence, attack and everything else by the look of it. Re your comments above, the pressure on these coaches is building to get the team playing like a team. Just not good enough. I am very worried now about the rest of the season.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kev" data-cid="603218" data-time="1470380177">
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Yes defence, attack and everything else by the look of it. Re your comments above, the pressure on these coaches is building to get the team playing like a team. Just not good enough. I am very worried now about the rest of the season.
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yep, you hope that the injection of our full compliment of Super players will help hugely, but if the other half of the players out there cant play, it wont help much, more so when you take the line Harris said in that odd article a couple of weeks back saying they wont be relying on the super players....well, turns out now, we will be, or if not, well, I, like you am starting to dread the season before it has begun

kev

The good teams these days play a high tempo game with players working really hard off the ball on attack and in defence. Just wonder if we are working so hard on fitness and set pieces we haven't got "a game" going. They need to turn this around quickly. 
I note the Hurricanes started their season with a thrashing by the Brumbies and their coach started by Coaching Wellington down to the Championship. 
So maybe I am over reacting. Still not happy though.

Snollygoster

I actually went to the game and you guys shouldn't be to disheartened. You actually won the second half and this was a full strength Bay side with no Bay players from tomorrows club finals actually allowed to play in the those games.
 
These preseason games are something of a lottery at the best of times. I will admit though early on it looked like you were in for a hiding so well done for turning it around.

taniwharugby

Team to face CM and ABs
 
Where are the Pryors? Where is Breen? Hopefully not injured already? If fit, they should be starting surely in our last hit out before Manawatu next week! 
 
Outside of Pryor's it must be close to our 1st 15. 
 
No. POSITION SURNAME FIRST NAME
1 Loosehead Prop Waa Namatahi
2 Hooker Moulds Matt
3 Tighthead Prop Kite Phil
4 Left Lock Goodhue Josh
5 Right Lock Neville Shane
6 Blindside Flanker Faleafa Michael
7 Openside Flanker Ram Jack
8 Number Eight Matich Matt
9 Half Back Nock Sam
10 First Five Eight Lansdowne Tyler
11 Left Wing Lama Monty
12 Second Five Hyland Jordan
13 Centre Dunn Warren
14 Right Wing Macilai Jone
15 Full Back Alaimalo Solomona
 
REPLACEMENTS
 
2 Hooker Wright Ross
16 Hooker Olsen Jordan
18 Tighthead Prop Apoua Chris
1 Loosehead Prop Sililoto Howard
17 Tighthead Prop Tupou Sesimani
3 Tighthead Prop Talaese Matt
18 Lock Larsen Josh
19 Lock Uluiviti Epineri
7 Loose Forward Stokes Aorangi
6 Loose Forward Manu Taniela
9 Half back Markwick Matty
21 Half back MacLeod Malcolm
23 Midfield Tua Tamati 
22 Midfield Cherrington James
14 Wing Lawebuka Waisea
15 Wing Clark Levi

Gunner

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="604955" data-time="1470884674">
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Team to face CM and ABs
 
Where are the Pryors? Where is Breen?
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How long is the mandatory stand down after soup rugby?
You'd have to assume Breen is injured if he's not playing?

Gunner

Anyone get to the development game vs Manu Samoa b's last night?

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="604973" data-time="1470890544">
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How long is the mandatory stand down after soup rugby?
You'd have to assume Breen is injured if he's not playing?
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You'd think Dan will be playing if fit given AB's from the Chiefs/Crusaders and Highlanders will all be playing tomorrow too, my guess is they are all injured ...not ideal build up in a campaign where we have to get off to a good start with a very tough early road trip!
 
Manawatu - H
Auckland - Away
Otago - Away
BOP - Away
 Ta$man - Away
 
The B/C team got pumped by Samoa B...Weather was shite, I decided to flag it.

Duluth

I don't think all the Super Rugby players are available for the NPC sides yet.
 
Aucklands latest pre-season side has some of the SR players back, but the rest join the squad next week. It seems to be on a case by case basis rather than a mandatory stand down?

taniwharugby

Kara Pryor was available last week, so that doesnt bode well, but maybe Dan is having a good break, I guess the Highlanders had a tough travel schedule the past month or so.
 
BUt I thnk Breen is of bigger concern, they signed an injured Hawkins (grrr) and playing Landsdowne who wasnt in the contracted squad they named.
 
Our pack looks handy enough, hopefully able to hold thier own this year, but strangely, our backs are a worry, unless Macilai regains some form and Solomona is as good as the reports say he is.

kev

Seen the scores we need our full squad and the boys to start firing. Very worried after a horrible preseason.

taniwharugby

officially concerned now, conceding 97 points this afternoon (73-0 to ABs and 24-5 to CM) 
 
This is not looking good, at all!

Gunner

Can't stop the flashbacks from our infamous losing steak 10-12 years ago...

Steven Harris

I suspect there's a few Taniwha diehards that are concerned,regardless of what squad has fronted up in these preseason build up games,it just seems we are leaking points left,right and centre,just in terms of players that are unavailable, 
Breen, has an injury,nothing to dramatic,will be available for the opening round,the Pryor's,given their workload in Super rugby,and I suspect that they will have a full on workload during the campaign,I can totally understand the extra time to allow these guys back. 
The biggest concern to me,is Troy Gilbert,I have heard 2 x versions of what is going on,hopefully someone close to the source can push us in the right direction,firstly,he has a concussion issue,and he is still suffering symptoms,and they were going to make a decision shortly on wether he was going to be available for the season. 
Secondly I've heard it's a money issue,he is currently on ACC,and if he plays,he does'nt get a payout,which just sound bizarre..!,sort it out Northland rugby union,he's the best midfield back bar none in the province, 
I am also wondering if the non selection of Tom Halse was a mistake,despite being a disruptive influence,(this is what I was told),he was a goal kicker for starters,who could play 2nd five or fullback,and has played some ITM cup for Counties Manukau,and given that Hawkins selection is still up in the air because of injury,midfield foes concern me,both Tua and Cherrington are good youngsters for the future,but they are young,and both defensively need work. 
Very concerned,this first game against Manawatu is huge,and a loss is not negotiable..!

taniwharugby

so in our 3 warm ups we have conceded close to 200 points and scored about 30...to say I am concerned is an understatement! 
 
I know its preseason which means nothing, but confidence plays its part too, and with a build up like we've had, be surprised if we have any! 
 
The first up game is a MUST win.

Dice

Northland jersey looks a lot better this year.
<img src="http://www.champions.co.nz/productimages/medium/1/4911_24364_6649.jpg" alt="4911_24364_6649.jpg">

The Silver Fern

2016 Northland Mitre 10 Cup Squad.