2016 Northland Mitre 10 Cup Squad.
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kev" data-cid="603215" data-time="1470379289">
<div>
<p>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.<br><br>
So I think this result is a disaster. After last season we needed to have started firing in these games to build confidence.<strong> Something is wrong</strong> and now is the time to sort it....</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>conceding nigh on 100 points, me thinks defence :(</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kev" data-cid="603218" data-time="1470380177">
<div>
<p>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.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>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</p> -
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.<br><br>
I note the Hurricanes started their season with a thrashing by the Brumbies and their coach started by Coaching Wellington down to the Championship. <br><br>
So maybe I am over reacting. Still not happy though. -
<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p> -
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Team to face CM and ABs</span></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">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! </span></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Outside of Pryor's it must be close to our 1st 15. </span></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">No. </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">POSITION </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">SURNAME </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">FIRST NAME</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">1 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Loosehead Prop </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Waa </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Namatahi</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">2 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Hooker </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Moulds </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Matt</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">3 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Tighthead Prop </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Kite </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Phil</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">4 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Left Lock </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Goodhue </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Josh</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">5 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Right Lock </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Neville </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Shane</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">6 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Blindside Flanker </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Faleafa </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Michael</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">7 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Openside Flanker </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Ram </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Jack</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">8 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Number Eight </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Matich </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Matt</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">9 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Half Back </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Nock </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Sam</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">10 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">First Five Eight </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Lansdowne </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Tyler</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">11 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Left Wing </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Lama </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Monty</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">12 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Second Five </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Hyland</span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"> Jordan</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">13 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Centre </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Dunn W</span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">arren</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">14 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Right Wing </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Macilai </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Jone</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">15 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Full Back </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Alaimalo </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Solomona</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:18pt;"><span style="font-family:'squada one';">REPLACEMENTS</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">2 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Hooker </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Wright </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Ross</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">16 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Hooker </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Olsen </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Jordan</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">18 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Tighthead Prop </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Apoua </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Chris</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">1 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Loosehead Prop </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Sililoto </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Howard</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">17 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Tighthead Prop </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Tupou </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Sesimani</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">3 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Tighthead Prop </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Talaese </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Matt</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">18 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Lock </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Larsen </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Josh</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">19 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Lock </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Uluiviti </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Epineri</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">7 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Loose Forward </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Stokes </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Aorangi</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">6 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Loose Forward </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Manu </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Taniela</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">9 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Half back </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Markwick </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Matty</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">21 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Half back </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">MacLeod </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Malcolm</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">23 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Midfield </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Tua </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Tamati </span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">22 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Midfield </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Cherrington </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">James</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">14 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Wing </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Lawebuka </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Waisea</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">15 </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Wing </span></span></em></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Clark </span></span></strong></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Levi</span></span></strong></span></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="604955" data-time="1470884674">
<div>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Team to face CM and ABs</span></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Where are the <strong>Pryors</strong>? Where is Breen?</span></span></span></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>How long is the mandatory stand down after soup rugby?</p>
<p>You'd have to assume Breen is injured if he's not playing?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="604973" data-time="1470890544">
<div>
<p>How long is the mandatory stand down after soup rugby?</p>
<p>You'd have to assume Breen is injured if he's not playing?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>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!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Manawatu - H</p>
<p>Auckland - Away</p>
<p>Otago - Away</p>
<p>BOP - Away</p>
<p> Ta$man - Away</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The B/C team got pumped by Samoa B...Weather was shite, I decided to flag it.</p> -
<p>I don't think all the Super Rugby players are available for the NPC sides yet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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?</p> -
<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p> -
<p>officially concerned now, conceding 97 points this afternoon (73-0 to ABs and 24-5 to CM) </p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is not looking good, at all! </p> -
<br><br><br>
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,<br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br>
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,<br><br>
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.<br><br>
Very concerned,this first game against Manawatu is huge,and a loss is not negotiable..! -
<p>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! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>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! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The first up game is a MUST win. </p> -
<p>Northland jersey looks a lot better this year.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.champions.co.nz/productimages/medium/1/4911_24364_6649.jpg" alt="4911_24364_6649.jpg"></p> -