Northland v Otago
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What was the card for?
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@taniwharugby he threw someone’s boot away
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@Stargazer both
Although we played some rugby today, liked our attitude on defence especially
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Great win for northland, a good free flowing couple of tries gave them the confidence they have been missing, that style of play tho still only pays off 10% of the time hence the season score board, i have always believed the squad is ther but its higher up that needs to be looked at, alot of money is being spent with the coaching staff and the 100 assistance they have for very little payback. Good way to end the season tho over a top 4 team.
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Was kinda expecting that, but maybe it was just hope...
Right from the outset I thought our defensive line had more intensity, having Gregory alongside Hohaia makes a big difference on attack and d.
Those first 10 mins Gregory made about 3 or 4 tackles...in other games this season they are missed and we are down after 2 mins.
Having Gregory outside Hohaia on attack gives him that moment more time and space with opposition needing to keep an eye on Gregory rather than knowing our 12/13 didnt pose a threat.
Think the rookies acquitted themselves well, Mayanavanua throws himself about, Byrne too, but could do with a couple more kgs on his frame, Funaki was busy too.
Simoni Uluinakauvadra didnt get alot of time but a couple of nice touches, lines and workrate you can see he has something about him.
Good way for Debreczeni to bow out for us too.
As I said at the start of the season I thought we had a good squad, today showed we have some good young players, but it is usually only injury that sees them get the chance, and I expect plenty got way more minutes than planned.
Have heard a 10 who has played Super rugby in SA is heading here to live and will play 7s for us, so hopefully he plans out at 10.
Need to find a 13, although I guess Ranger will likely be back, so keep developing Cherrington.
Unsure who comes off contract but I'd be looking at getting some of these fellas signed for next season (Matiu, Caird, Mayanavanua, Levien, Uluinakauvadra, Byrne, Rae)
Pretty poor season all told, but book ended with wins at the start and end.
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@Stargazer said in Northland v Otago:
@taniwharugby said in Northland v Otago:
@Machpants apparently has been 'working' with other teams too... not sure where he's from.
I liked the bit with Roberts-Te Nana
I've seen him in clips with Southland, the Steamers and Manawatu. Maybe more.
He's from Feilding.
His names William Wairua. G rated funny ish guy on social media. Pretty good doesn't try to be hardcore to be funny lots of kids like him too.
Funny thing is I'm pretty sure every team he worked with won that weekend. He was with south and before they broke their streak. Manawatu before they smashed cant. And the steamers before they upset the hawks.
He is like the soccer world cup octopus.
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Wow, where was that performance all year? Bloody stoked to finish on a good note.
The one glaring thing for me was that game just showed why we should have had Gregory at 13 all season. His work on D really impressed me the most. Otago tried their hardest to gas the outside channels, but Gregory plugged it up with his pace. Gutted we wasted so much time with Johnson there.
The forwards were all on the same sheet today, was particularly impressed with Olsen, Temo and Byrne. I like the look of the new Fijian flanker too, hopefully we sign him up for next year.
Hopefully that was a little glimpse of what our whole season might be like for our centenary year next year.
Fingers crossed everyone is fit and healthy for 2020 so we can have a better campaign with our best available players!
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@taniwharugby have to agree. The young talent that we have that doesn’t get a chance until injury. We want to develop our players more. Improvements have been made but we just need to trust them and play the long term game.
Despite the results this year the forwards have largely done well.
You have to ask why we persevered with back combinations that didn’t work when we had other options. In that regard I think the coaches let the team down.
Man we had a lot of injuries this year. A lot before the season started. Don’t know if there was a reason.
