v Taranaki

[taniwharugby]

@j77 I'm preparing myself for a BP loss...

[J77]

@taniwharugby I see what you’re doing bro. Reverse psychology. I’m not even making a prediction, but did I mention I have Naki in my picks??..

[kev]

I think we should back the guys to turn it around:

• Tua to have another shot. Ranger to stay on wing. Get Hyland into game early. Gregory and Thoroughgood to get more game time.
• Matt Wright has always been a favourite but got caught on defence and had the ball stripped on attack. Two tries resulted. So big game expected from him. Best when he plays that DMac role injecting himself at second phase.
• Rinakama looked off the pace around the field so more energy required and maybe early sub.
• we lost our shape in 2nd half by trying too much, and not controlling the ball so better discipline even when behind. Less 50/50 balls.

[J77]

@kev love your optimism Kevy..hope you’re right 😉

[kev]

@j77 always Justin. 😀👍

[J77]

@kev to be more optimistic, Taranaki looked quite beatable if tonight’s game is evidence. Quite leaky defence out wide. Just their scrum and the likes of Tamanaivalu and Boshier we need to pay special attention to...

[taniwharugby]

big blow to Taranaki with Angus Ta'avao going into AB camp on Sunday, and yep as @J77 says, they look beatable.

[J77]

@taniwharugby that’s a bit of luck for us with Angus out. Tough for them losing their skipper.

Sure up our ruck and midfield defence and we’re in with a crack. Need to defend like we did against North Harbour.

[taniwharugby]

@j77 and a few more to defend like Nock did last week

[J77]

@taniwharugby yep, really impressed with Nock last week. Good to have Kitto snapping at his heels as well. Maybe the blues need to look at those two plus Fukofuka (sp?) for next year.. That’s if Pulu is going??

[taniwharugby]

@j77 Yep those wheels Nock showed in mowing down Nanai were surprising, and given some of his defence for the Blues was poor, he was very good in the Auckland game.

Hopefully some real pressure from Kitto will be the catalyst Nock needs.

[Duluth]

@j77 said in v Taranaki:

That’s if Pulu is going??

He's back in 2019

[J77]

@duluth ah ok, thought I’d heard he was off. I guess it’s a three way scrap between our two and your boy then, depending on who’s already locked in.

[Duluth]

@j77 There were some articles saying he was gone, but the Blues corrected it on twitter

I wish he was gone.. I'm worried he'll be captain again too

Just a guess but I think Nock will struggle to make it. I think the Blues lost confidence in him.

[taniwharugby]

@duluth yeah you'd have to think it is unlikely the Blues re-sign him (barring an absolute stormer of NPC) they lost confidence in him, and he lost confidence in himself.

[J77]

@taniwharugby maybe a franchise change will do Nock good. Did I hear rumours the Highlanders were looking at him? Probably way off the mark, but I’m sure I heard that somewhere.

[Chiefy07]

@taniwharugby The Blues should ditch Umaga and keep Nock. Nock isn't the only player that Umaga hasn't got the best out of.

[kev]

@chiefy07 bang on Chiefy. The Blues have the players but the combinations / selections have been all over the place. Can’t work out what they are doing?

[taniwharugby]

@chiefy07 but we know Tana ain't going anywhere next year so I'd be surprised if Nock is at the Blues next year.

While some of the fault lays at Tanas feet Nock didn't help himself either with some of his performances.

As I said hopefully with a genuine threat of Kitto breathing down his neck and Sykes in good form waiting for his chance this could be the making of Nock.

[taniwharugby]

at the TAB Northland paying $4.05...and give us a 9.5 pt start.

Seem pretty generous, but then I guess we are a Championship side at 0/2 up against a Premiership side 2/3.