v Waikato
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Fuck it's cold!.
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Me like our scrum
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Wind all but gone...clearing skies
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Holy fuck
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@taniwharugby man we look like the real deal. Winning the physical parts of the game and scoring tries out wide😀
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sit back and savour this fellas, some very tough and dark times as a Northland fan (and for the players) over the years, just need to savour these moments!!
Oh me oh my did I enjoy that, YES BOY!
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@taniwharugby Congrats to the guys. Keep it coming!
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just skimmed through the game on TV.
Thought we were excellent defensively, had some great continuity and our scrum was good again.
Ross Wright is a revelation this season, often been a big ball runner but struggles at scrum time, but he has been a rock so far and add in his great running.
Probably Nocks best game, Hawkins despite a couple of errors, gives it everything week in week out and am warming to him! HYland I thought was excellent, his best game, bar that mic-comunication on the failed penalty to touch by Waikato, lots of players were very good, I am an unashamed fan of Matich, guy is a machine.
Also be interesting to see what happens when Tua is available, he was outstanding in the first 2 games, but Rene and Jack are working very well, also wonder how much playing in the Cambridge blue gets Rangers enjoyment factor back.
All the players stepping in are stepping up!
Biggest criticism is our ball security at the breakdown with a number popping out the back and sides, as well as a number of our lineouts were messy slap downs.
But these guys are clearly enjoying thier rugby and playing for one another, making it easy for the new boys to step in.
Huge test on Thursday with a resurgent North Harbour!
some game and individual stats available HERE
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Was was great to see a performance under difficult conditions to see our forwards roll their sleeves up in most facets and dominate Waikato to the point where their time in our 22 only amounted to very little.
I thought Tim Bond & Murray Douglas were superb,they just do their basics really well,kick off receives especially..Bond was my POTD..he shortened up Zac Guildford in a massive tackle deep into the game.
Other surprise to me has been Ross Wright,from what I understand,he's much fitter than he's been in recent season,and it's showing...
Talking to many of the reserves before the game,they are itching to get back on the paddock,they can see what's unfolding.
A little unsure about the status of the injured at this time,will be interesting to see if there are any changes,maybe Josh Goodhue for Josh Larsen,Tua on the bench,Matt Wright..to come back,Maybe Waa back..?,some really good headaches to have..(pardon the pun)
Watched both Wellington & Otago,mixed results for both,if your playing Wellington,stopping their offload game ,making your tackles and staying in the fight is key..
Otago were very impressive,very good set piece scrum and lineout ,but in terms of adding some balance to what was a one sided game,Hawkes Bay have up to 15 x players unavailable through injury,many of them with super rugby experience..it's tough gig as we very know..
