Auckland v Northland
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@Dice said in Auckland v Northland:
The more I think about the rule that had us a man down, the more I realize just how dumb it is.
not intended for Auckland like this, but intended to stop cynical teams throwing up injuries for non-contested scrums.
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@nzzp said in Auckland v Northland:
not intended for Auckland like this, but intended to stop cynical teams throwing up injuries for non-contested scrums.
Normally it would happen later in a game. That was a long time with 14. Maybe after 20mins it should go back to 15?
20mins a man down is still a big hit -
I didn't think the ref was that bad. Some of the calls on knock ons and obstruction were a bit questionable but he was consistent both ways. We had it way worse last week against NH when the ref basically sleep walked through the game.
Some of the mistakes we made today were so basic - handling errors, poor kick options etc Luckily Leilua wasn't playing otherwise it could've been worse...
I think the coaches need to hold their hands up for some of the issues in this game. As mentioned, some of the substitutes were brainless and appeared to be made for the sake of it.
I liked the aggression that Jacobson bought but I think given they were down to 14 it was a game that would've suited Pryor more if he has been fit. Although our losses did well, I think our first choice looses may have tipped the game our way.
Will he interesting to see who is back from injury for the next game
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@nzzp said in Auckland v Northland:
@Dice said in Auckland v Northland:
The more I think about the rule that had us a man down, the more I realize just how dumb it is.
not intended for Auckland like this, but intended to stop cynical teams throwing up injuries for non-contested scrums.
Do you have to play with a man down when two looseheads or two tightheads in your team get injured and you go to non-contested scrums?
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@Chiefy07 think Pryor was just being rested this week, similarly Matich.
Robinson and Ross were both out due to injury.
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@taniwharugby said in Auckland v Northland:
@Chiefy07 think Pryor was just being rested this week, similarly Matich.
Sickening arrogance from your lot
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@Dice said in Auckland v Northland:
@nzzp said in Auckland v Northland:
@Dice said in Auckland v Northland:
The more I think about the rule that had us a man down, the more I realize just how dumb it is.
not intended for Auckland like this, but intended to stop cynical teams throwing up injuries for non-contested scrums.
Do you have to play with a man down when two looseheads or two tightheads in your team get injured and you go to non-contested scrums?
Yep, that's the rule.
Whether it's good or not is another story, but the law is the law
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@Chiefy07 at the game the not straight in the lineout was very evident on nearly all of the short throws. Some got called, but two lineouts that led to tries were not.Given this a important set piece that Auckland clearly were struggling with I think it was disappointing. The obstruction was significant in that it lead to a try and was very obvious. So in those two areas the officiating was sub standard.
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@nzzp Sweet. Was just wondering, because I've seen that happen, but can't remember a man having to go off because of it.
Although faking a hooker injury just to get non-contested scrums would be a bit risky and would usually have little payoff, because you'd have a really crappy lineout for the rest of the game. I can kind of understand the rule being applied for props, but not sure it should apply for hookers.
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@Chiefy07 yeah I think the coaches need to take alot of the heat.
It seems they have a decent culture, but not sure everyone is singing form the same song sheet.
I mean Ranger is a prime example, IMO, this is his worst season for us, his decision making has been terrible!
So why is he doing this? Has he been given free reign from the coaches to play it as he sees it, or does he not like the plan they have? He has made the same errors so many times this year with making breaks and ignoring players outside, as I mentioned a few weeks ago, I think his brain is still seeing things as he used to but his body is struggling to keep up.
We havent played smart all season, and today was a prime opportunity to play smart and kick Auckland around the park, more so they were down to 14 and had no hooker.
Think losing Cooper (if he wasnt just subbed??) was a big blow, Faiane showed glimpses, but is a running 10, which wasnt what we needed today.
Our handling , lack of cohesion (balls being passed behind/above/below) and critical decision has been poor too, this comes back to the coaches.
I mean that last 5 mins there were 4 very poor decisions made: GRant 2 x kicks, Faiane kick and whoever was acting captain deciding to go for the corner instead of a scrum for that final play.
Our props all look overweight, despite this team seeming to be able to go 80 minutes each week whereas in prior years we'd fall off with 15-20 to go.
Despite all the gnashing and wailing, I think we did show some life today (and a bit last week) that we have lacked for the prior 4 games...
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@taniwharugby good point about Jonny. He didn’t seem to be injured so suspect he was pulled. But why? why ? why ? He attacked the line a couple of times yesterday which is exactly what I want from our 1st five. Apart from one kick for a lineout though he kicked really well - and off both feet. FFS I have lost confidence in our Coaches. Don’t know what they are doing. If Hawkins returns for the final game we will have our answer. This is not the way to develop a team.
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@taniwharugby and agree 100% with what you have said. The lack of development mid-season is evident, but yesterday the energy was better.
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@kev totally agree about Johnny Cooper , that was a very rough call on the young man, can only imagine what’s going through his mind ..to give up a year of study , get limited time and now this , I doubt very much he will want to hang around next year .
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@Steven-Harris so he was subbed?? If so, WTAF
Faiane and Cooper needed more starts through the season, instead they are fucked about, and neither given a shot at forming any combination or consistency.
Next week, assuming fitness id like to see:
Wright Olsen Li
Goodhue Caird
Robinson Matich Pryor
Nock Cooper
Tua Gregory
Ranger Wright RushHohaia Te Whata-Colley Kearns McNamara Jacobson Grant Faiane Going
I said at the start I thought we had a good squad, one of the best in years, but seems huge question marks over coaching, in particular selections, game plan and in game subs, without talking to the decision making which has played its part in our high error rate
Even if we sneak into the top 4, we will have underperformed, unless we manage to make the final, then its par.
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@taniwharugby he was pulled
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@Steven-Harris our coaching team is fucked, or whoever is making that decision. If he was having an absolute shocker I could understand, but he wasnt.
As @kev says, vote of no confidence in the coaching team, they (assuming it is a collective decision) are a big part of the problem.
They fucked up when they reinstated Hawkins in round 3, here we are 2nd to last round and they pull Cooper, what 25 mins into his 2nd start of the season, seemingly for no reason, and give the reins to Faiane who they have showed zero faith in all season, no wonder our decision making on field is poor!
WTF are they up to, so many of thier decisions lack any common sense or even sense of a plan.
Looking at our squad, top 4 was always where we should have been, making the final will be a good season, had we made the final at home, that would have been a great season.
I guess the issue going forward, is if we sneak into the top 4 by virtue of Southland not getting past Counties, we stumble into the top 4, but for me, the grading for the season is a C-, if we make the final after stumbling, it goes to a B.
My worry is that if we do stumble in, is the issues that are evident from the outside, will likely be glossed over (I know we dont know what goes on within the team, but from the outside, lots of very clear issues)
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@taniwharugby I think nearly every Championship team has had a year where they have been successful. We have never been to the final and frankly never deserved to. Money is a factor but our Coaches have never had a development mindset. Every year we start a fresh. Hoping someone better will magic themselves up. Giving guys no games or 5 minutes means you never develop a squad. Guys just get pissed off and leave. They should be signing both Johnny / Wiseguy for 2 years now. Commit to these young guys, develop your squad. Maybe the board expect success now? Trouble is you have to think 2,3 seasons advance. Something is fundamentally wrong in our setup. Seeing the guys smash themselves to a pulp for no reward is heartbreaking.
Yesterday was one of the few games in recent years where Auckland hasn’t just smashed us so big ups to the guys for their physicality. It has really improved.
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Why is everyone talking up Faiane? He just wants to coast along on talent. They should invest time and energy on a guy that wants to improve and be the best. Faiane got dropped and was told to work on his kicking. He hasn't done that and it was really bloody obvious yesterday. Missed kicks basically was the difference. We can all knock Hawkins but the reality is - if he was playing yesterday we would have won that game. It really is that simple.
Cooper seems like he's worth persevering with, really poor call to sub him (for anyone) unless he was injured. As @Steven-Harris said it was a call that could rock his confidence if nothing else.
Nock continues to get better. Really making a difference to this team and would get my vote for POTY.
@taniwharugby I guess the thing with Ranger is he's playing like he always has - off instinct. He just doesn't have the athleticism that used to get him out of tricky situations. As frustrating as he is at times this season, I still think he brings a lot more upside than downside.
As much as this is turning into another "what might have been" year there's still a lot of positives IMO. We have a bunch of players with 50-100 caps sprinkled throughout the squad and if young guys can develop around them it will be a very good squad over the next few years
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@Chiefy07 not sure anyone is talking Faiane up?
But have to agree to disagree on Hawkins, games he hasn't played we have looked alot more capable on attack, then there is his kicking from hand which lacks sufficient length at this level.
We have scored 1 4 try bonus this year...1, Northland are usually the team that scored lots of tries in thier way to a loss, now we are struggling to score tries and still losing.
As to Ranger, re read what I have said, not saying he is done, more he needs to realise he isn't where he was 5 years ago.
Often he makes a break now, but lacks that yard of pace to beat that man or that little bit of strength to bust a tackle that he would have 5 years ago, he needs to realise this and play it.
I have said a few times this season it seems he is seeing something but his body cant execute, despite the fact he still draws defenders and has created space for others, but doesn't use them.
I agree he has plenty to offer still and hope he makes his 100, but he needs to play within himself more.
Despite the above, I think there are issues with our coaching. These guys don't get to this level not being able to catch and pass, so why has our handling been so poor, why are we making such poor decisions week in week out?
The Selections seem all over the show...2 hookers debuted the past 2 weeks, one starting and then the other in the dying stages of a game vs 14 men and we take off our captain to be replaced with a debutant, then minutes later 2 more of our more experienced players who were also playing well and sub them for guys who have played less than 60 minutes between them this year.
Then there was benching Nock v Otago, why? He is one of the fittest in the blues, its a season these guys have played less yet you bench him in a game we had to win??
Why did it take so long to move Gregory to the midfield? Watching us last year you saw his best games were there, he really struggles at FB, has good instincts but give him the time at the back to think about what he has to do creates indecision.
Seems the poor decisions this year start at the top.
