v Taranaki

[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.

[J77]

@taniwharugby might be worth a flutter..

What’s the forecast for Sunday? I’m lazy and can’t be fecked checking metservice.

[taniwharugby]

@j77 not ideal

Sunday 2 Sep
19°C
High
9°C
Showers. Northerlies turn westerly early morning.

[J77]

@taniwharugby cheers bro! Knew I could rely on the TR metservice.

Not ideal, might suit Nakis forwards a bit...

[taniwharugby]

@j77 keeping a close eye as I'm out on a trip to the Poor Knights tomorrow and not keen on feeding the fish like I did last time I went.

[kev]

Team is out. Tua to wing, Robinson to 6. Jacobsen starts McNamara and Mayavananua into reserves. Pryor must be injured.

[taniwharugby]

Keen to get a look at McNamara, so Matiu out for Mayavananua...

@kev yeah Pryor has to be injured, assume Matiu too?

[J77]

Two good positional swaps there. Moulds and Pryor both injured I’m assuming?

Who on earth is Campbell Matthews?

[taniwharugby]

@j77 shit I hadnt even noticed Moulds not there!!

Not sure on Campbell either.

[Gunner]

How about the 12 support staff. Is it just me or does that seem like a bloody shitload for a semi professional team?

Very good move swapping Red and Douglas around. Douglas seems more a cart horse lock than a loose forward to me.
Interesting to see how Tua goes on the wing and will be good to have a look at MacNamara off the bench. I actually think (90% sure) his grandfather is the late NZ fast bowler Bob Cunis, so he’s got some good sporting genes to help him on his way. @Nath-Jac might be able to confirm?

Like the rest of you I have bever heard of the reserve hooker. The name doesn’t look familiar from any previous squad list or anything.... Straight out ring in like that hooker we got out of Canterbury 3 or so years back? I did see Hikurangi claiming him on their FB page though...?