V Manawatu

Gunner

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kev" data-cid="606804" data-time="1471598777">
We should have kicked for the corners in the last 10 minutes. Played too much rugby around our half. 
It seemed like Manawatu players were standing on the side of the ruck kicking at our ball making it messy. If they want the new rules to work they need to tidy up this kicking at the ball at ruck time - I prefer the old rules in that regard where you had guys on the ball, rather than using their feet.</blockquote> Was thinking the same thing. I've never seen so many players come through (or around) a ruck and just boot the ball. It becomes a free for all and not good watching. 
Also very much agree with playing too much in our own half, especially as they were coming up fast and smashing us back well behind the advantage line time and time again. 
It felt like the last try had an air of inevitably about it, as I said before, we ran out of steam, which is a concern.

kev

I thought the performance was good in parts - set piece worked well and the outside backs looked good. Defence with straight lines needs some work. 
Yes we dropped off in the last 15 minutes. Thought we lacked control at this critical time. 
But the performance was miles better than last year. If they can build from this we will win some games. 
Nb: Macalai is such a quality player now. His time with the Crusaders has improved him as a rugby player.

taniwharugby

went in with such low expectations, after 20 mins, it looked like a big one on the cards....some good play, but by fuck the Poo got away with alot of off the ball shit, did that call in the 2nd spell with the TMO go looking for a knee and kick to the headl of Matich?? 
 
AR should have called it, was right in front of him, as was a half spear tackle on Dunn off the ball a little earlier.
 
Is it the new rules that allowed Manawatu to march round and kick at the ball almost every ruck as well?? 
 
Like the look of Solomona, he looks to have some toe...our mid-field defence looks all at sea at times.
 
Thought most of our forwards stood up, Matich in particular was everywhere, Goodhue had a big 1st half but wasnt as prominent in the 2nd.
 
Just before they scored the kick pass I said to J77 that thier winger was so wide, it was on....
 
The roller coaster ride as a Northland fan continues....go in down low, get lower, get up, up, look down form the top, and then at the last minute, you drop! 
 
More positives from that than I was expecting, but still a loss

the champ is here

Yep gotta say I was pleasantly surprised with the performance tonight. Not the result obviously but some good signs. I wouldn't be so down on our chances to get a result or two on the road, the loosies will get better, the 10 looks good and I like the look of our fullback.

kev

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kev" data-cid="606804" data-time="1471598777">
It seemed like Manawatu players were standing on the side of the ruck kicking at our ball making it messy. If they want the new rules to work they need to tidy up this kicking at the ball at ruck time - I prefer the old rules in that regard where you had guys on the ball, rather than using their feet.</blockquote>
 
Changed my mind - I like the new rules re players having to stay on their feet. A great change - they still have to watch fringing players kicking at the ball. I don't think they got that right in the Northland game. Also the players that are arriving need to make sure they don't go past the ball. A few times I thought we had won the ruck only to see Manawatu regroup after we went past the ball.

taniwharugby

I think if they are on thier feet, then they can do what they like, ruck it, or kick it, which is what Manawatu did to disrupt our ball, if they couldnt have it, neither could we, the fact they were coming round the side and off side all night was another issue all together.
 
Ref and ARs missed alot last night.
 
Some foul play, 1 that was a RC offence...I think Warren Dunns try came off the end of a forward pass several passes back, so fortunate they were looking at foot in touch, not back to the initial start of movement.

Chiefy

Was so cool to watch a Northland game again! I only managed to find one game over here last year and it wasn't worth watching!
 
Watching the first 10 minutes I was expecting a thrashing - we looked good going forward but very suspect defensively, particularly in midfield. Was bloody good to see the team hang in there and really come back in the 2nd quarter of the match. Was very pleasing to see the set piece come back from a shaky start and perform adequately for us.
 
Was my first time watching a lot of the players and have to say a few of them stood out for me, maybe not because they were world beaters but because they look like they will be awesome for us going forward. Firstly Sam Nock - what an awesome pass he has and seems to have a good kicking game too. I can see why the Blues signed him for 3 years. Josh Goodhue - he has toughened up a lot since I last watched him play a few years ago and noticed he is calling the lineouts too. Jordan Olsen - he's always been talented but he stepped in for Moulds last night and in my opinion was one of our best on the field. Peter Breen - was so good to see a Northland first five willing to run the ball and have a clever passing game, need to see more from his kicking though! These are 4 guys I hope we can hold onto!
 
I thought Alaimalo looks very talented and will be a very good player for us. My big issue was he created some opportunities but then on a couple of occasions cost us tries by taking the wrong option - hopefully that will improve with time. Ken Laban kept saying he was on loan from Canterbury - is that right? Faleafa played well but didn't seem to have much in the tank, think he might be a better bench option although I'm not sure there will be space once Dan Pryor is back. I also think Jack Ram is too good to keep on the bench. He might not be the biggest loose forward but he is such a strong ball carrier. I thought Matich went well but with Dan Pryor back he might be the bench guy due to his versatility. His energy was very important for us. Kara Pryor seemed a lot more confident after playing Super Rugby, seemed a bit more physical this year compared to last year.
 
Think next game I would probably start Lawebuka on the right wing, I think he will add something different to the backline. Is Macilai a bit bigger this year? He didn't seem as fast as he used to be - a few seasons ago he would've easily been one of the quickest in NZ Rugby.
 
After watching that game (so limite sample) I don't really like the new breakdown rules. I really liked that the opposition could have a real good crack at the ball after the tackle. Having said that I think it could be an advantage for us. We've got quite a mobile pack with the front row getting around well, 2 busy locks and obviously with the Pryors, Ram and Matich we have 4 quick mobile players who I think should be able to get to tackled ball very quickly. I think if we can get numbers there quicker we could be a more disruptive influence in defence.
 
Fair dues to the coaches - was a shocking season last year and a few of us have been questioning them after this pre season but Northland showed some good signs in that game. Was also pleasing to see some of the off the cuff Northland style rugby too. Hopefully they use it as a point to build from and it isn't the high point of our season. I think we have the players to be top 4 this season.

kev

Lawebuka was supposed to start so he must have infringed team rules. Sure he will start and make a difference!

taniwharugby

apparently he turned up late on Friday so got relegated...we thought it was odd that Lama wore the 23 jersey and then Lawebuka came on late in the 2nd spell! 
 
Musta been on Fiji time! 
 
Good to keep team discipline!

justin77

Was good to get along to this match with TR. I've been finding it hard to keep up with whats going on this year, so was refreshing to get back to Toll Stadium.
 
I liked what I saw for 60 minutes of that match, it was a true throwback to the old days where we were a renowned counter attacking team. I must say when Manawatu jumped out to 17-0 I held grave fears they were going to do what we did to them in 2010 (77-8??), but we clawed back and became dominant for a long period.
 
As for the new laws, I think our boys struggled with the interpretations there. Manawatu used them to their advantage with all those fly hacks, it was like the rucks had become a game of football!! Im not a fan of that kicking through business, I believe there should be some tweaking there, but what it does say is that the attacking side has to be way smarter with how they approach rucks. We have to find a way to stop what Manawatu were doing..
 
Midfield defence was a worry, its an area that we simply have to have strong defenders, as rucks will attract a lot more players now, leaving it exposed out there.. Got to sort that out fast as i predict we'll leak a lot of points there..
 
Players to impress for me were Alaimalo, Nock, Breen and the loosies (even Fluffy V2!). Goodhue was solid in the first 40 and Olsen was superb coming on.
 
I think we will get some results this year, and reckon we need to go and have a real crack at Auckland this week coming. Canterbury did us no favours by thrashing them, so they'll be pissed off. Not smelling an upset, but you never know..

taniwharugby

You forgot to add we tried different seats for a change too, but alas, it made no difference!
 
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xlf1/v/t1.0-9/14021594_1364506443578616_6465512129112873002_n.png?oh=4a02b80cd588994e9c5e9192bc120f2e&oe=58554D30&gda=1482108587_246ca18c5bd39ddd77f002b7b2c27c56" alt="14021594_1364506443578616_64655121291128">

Chiefy

Those are some good stats from Matt Matich. I realised he had played well but that was even better than I thought, can't see him losing his spot with numbers like that!
 
Can't see too many changes to the starting line up

The Silver Fern

V Manawatu