V Manawatu
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<p>I guess, but for me, this match could be key for our entire season...lose this, we are staring down the barrel of a road trip where we could return home in week 6 for a match with Wellington, 0/5....at least if we win at home it gives a bit of confidence heading home against them, but that 4 week road trip against Auckland, Otago, BOP & Ta$man could see us done for the season before we get home!</p>
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<p>Confidence is a big deal, and if we get up over Manawatu, we might pick up another on the road...</p>
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<p>If we hit Toll after a horror road trip, Wellington, then Waikato at home before heading to Invercargill, 0/8 is sadly realistic, I think a lot of this season hinges on how we go tomorrow.</p>
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<p>Maybe I am reading too much into and being too pessimistic, but....</p> -
<p>Fark bro, I have been burnt many (almost every other season I entered with confidence) times before as a Northland fan. It is tough to look at it with any kind of positive spin! You know I'd love nothing more than this team to succeed, but, well I've been down this path before and been mugged and beaten and left wondering what happened, gotta be prepared! :(</p>
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<p>Ram on the bench behind Fluffy the 2nd?? Big call?</p>
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<p>That said, I will be there with TR Jnr and J77 tomorrow night to support our boys!</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.taniwha.co.nz/?attachment_id=17895'><img height="800" src="http://www.taniwha.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.jpg" width="566" alt="3.jpg"></a></p> -
That's a hell of a Manawatu team when you can leave Callum Gibbons and Otere Black on the bench..!
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<p>Quite predictable lineup for us apart from no Dan Pryor and Jack Ram being on the bench.</p>
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<p>Dan Pryor not playing is a big loss. Seems a strange decision to leave Ram on the bench for Faleafa - guessing that's largely to do with the new breakdown rules too. I just hope he is a much better player than his brother was for us!</p>
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<p>Other interesting selection is no first-five cover on the bench. I thought Breen had a niggling injury recently?</p>
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<p>I'm looking forward to this one, I only got to see one game last year (thankfully)</p> -
<p>weather very settled here, and like most of the week, be a cool still evening I expect!</p>
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<p>Perfect conditions!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="606758" data-time="1471594280"><p>
Uh oh, knock on by Turbos, our scrum..... 😞</p></blockquote>WOW, we held our own and have gone the length foe a possible try.<br><br>
Alaimalo shows great pace and vision there.<br>
Exciting stuff.<br><br>
It's given, what a try! -
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Duluth" data-cid="606763" data-time="1471594817"><p>
Pryor has been struggling with the new laws but showing class with the ball in hand</p></blockquote>Yes he's given away 3 or 4 penalties at the ruck. He's giving it the confused look and the ref almost seems to be feeling sorry for him and letting him off lightly. -
Defensive line is all over the show but we have some game at least. The points have given us confidence, so we need to start well in second half.<br><br>
Scrum seems capable and even dominant sometimes but have been scrubs where we have not been in the contest.
