Northland 2021
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I really hope the Northland coaches have been watching the Highlanders games.
After watching Blake Hohaia last week having little impact at club footy and how Gregory is quietly going about his workat super rugby, if it hadn't been clear before, it is now that he needs to be in our mid-field (and never at FB)
With it certain we won't see Goodhue, I hope they go for a Tua-Gregory midfield, with Ranger off the bench, or even Hyland (although if they were gonna put him in the midfield it would happened by now)
I reckon they should be looking at Tom to lead as well (not that I have anything against Olsen)
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@taniwharugby agree with all your points above.
It’s been a massive oversight from the coaches to see Gregory doesn’t belong at FB/wing. He should have been midfield from the word go last year. But for some reason they kept persisting with guys like Hohaia (at least until he got injured).
Gregory is developing nicely as a 12. Not flashy, just that direct workaholic type guy that’s almost like an extra loose forward. He’s involved in numerous clean outs at rucks etc, which often goes unnoticed compared to your more profile type 12s.
Gutted for Tom Robinson last night, would like to have seen him up against Frizzel which would have had the AB selectors interested. Frizzel obviously takes the points by default, which may leave Tom out of the reckoning. With that, yes, he should be leading Northland this year.
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@j77 Still think Tom can make it as a blindside lock option for ABs but so many good players that fit that bill its a lottery. Staying on the field would help.
Really disappointed with Nocks treatment this year. He is now a much more complete player - runs a bit, puts his body into contact situations ( ruck, defence ), sped up his clearance, ...his pass was always top notch, and kicking has always been solid. Kirwan keeps highlighting 2 kicks in one game which weren’t great but that for me was a one off. Sometimes players just don’t click with coaches, and it seems they like they prefer Ruru’s fitness (not sure he serves his outsides as well as others) and Christie has come from Ta$man.
Goodhue is concussed again and I hope he has the best advice. I think the Blues scrum is best when he locks and he has been solid around the field. When he is fit, he is a starter.
The Blues have underperformed this year and again the coaching/selections must be questioned. Akira looks like he is struggling again.
Gregory / Tua midfield is the right combination for Northland. Tua looked really good last year prior to injury. Everyone knew Gregory was struggling and yet they let him choose his position as fullback. Really? Hope they can stay fit. We have two good young first fives - one could move out to 2nd at a squeeze. Do we get Rush back for FB? Or will he be 7s - presume not in this COVID world, post Olympics.
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@kev said in Northland 2021:
Goodhue is concussed again and I hope he has the best advice. I think the Blues scrum is best when he locks and he has been solid around the field. When he is fit, he is a starter.
Yea his head is a worry alright.
Think his scrummaging is good and is generally underrated
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Very concerned about the state of our midfield..I really think we missed an opportunity to sign outstanding young midfielder who is the NZ Sevens squad ..Moses Leo is being courted by both Southland and Otago,with Otago the likely favourite to win his signature..
I know there will be some that will say it defeats the purpose of going local ,but after speaking to several people who know of Moses which includes 3 current Northland players who have played with him ..It’s very hard to ignore ..
Blake Hohaia has to fire this year ..ticking a whole lot of Gym tick boxes is one thing ,finding your ceiling at higher is another thing ..Tua and Gregory have had very limited time together and they should be your starting pairing ,2 x wasted years running around at fullback and wing in my opinion ..lot of time for our coaching staff but I differ when it comes to Gregory..
Ranger to me would be better to start off the bench ..
Hope I am totally wrong and happy to eat plenty of humble pie -
@steven-harris Blake had a good 10 mins yesterday helping Kamo overcome a 17 point deficit...watching Ranger last week, dominating facets of play, as he should, whereas I never see Hohaia dominate a club game. But yea, we must start a Gregory/Tua or Tua/Gregory midfield.
I will lose my shit if they start Gregory at 15 again.
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@taniwharugby you and me both brother ..
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new signings for 2021
- Dan Hawkins (58 caps) Hora Hora
- Isi Manu (new) Old Boys Marist
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@taniwharugby Ofa's bro(? Sure looks like him) too!
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@machpants Ofa?
I thought he was related to Nasi and Taniela, but can't see anything that says that.
He had a big contingent (about a dozen or so) of his family up here supporting him last week in the trial..
Ofa Tu'ungafasi's younger brother Leka has been playing for Kamo.
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This post is deleted!
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This time @Machpants
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I am going to have a crack at possible 2021 Northland squad
Have put a hash tag beside players who might be in the mix and a@ beside possible boltersOutside Backs
Brady Rush
Pisi Leila#Noah Cooper
#Brody Lam
@ Aseri Vatunavuku (Sharks)Jordon Hyland
Jone Macilai
Rene Ranger
Tamati Tua
Scott Gregory
Blake Hohaia
Rivez Reihana
Johnny Cooper
Dan HawkinsHalfbacks
Wil Grant
Sam Nock
#Corey Taylor
@ilai Arona (Awanui)
#Mike WalshLoose forwards
Isileli Manu
Sam McNamara
@ Manny Snooks (Horahora)Kara Pryor
Kane Jacobson or @Jonah Mau’u (Waipu)
Tom Robinson
Fano Funaki (Kamo)
Rob RushLocks
Josh Goodhue
Allen Craig
Liam Hallam Eames (Auckland) GT
Tevita Faukafa (Sharks)Props
Leka Tuangafasi
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
Luatangi Li
Coree Te Whata Colley
@George Tuineau (Waipu)
Patrick Robertson (Sharks)Hookers
Ross Wright
Jordon Olsen
Ben Tou
#Mason Hohaia -
@steven-harris said in Northland 2021:
Liam Hallam Eames
Hallam Eames was with Auckland last season. Has he transferred or on loan?
Also glad to see Isileli Manu getting a crack at this level. He was stuck in a que of quality loose forwards in Auckland as he was coming up. -
@daffy-jaffy ,my understanding, he will sign with Northland permanently, to cover the loss of Sam Caird..they may have another issue if Robinson gets selected in the ABs . Hence the selection of Fano Funaki who can play 6 or lock , has superb skills in the air .
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@steven-harris Funaki just isn't tall enough to be a legit locking option, has been good for Kamo in the loose when he has played.
Have you heard anything about Rayasi? I assume he has picked up a significant injury as he hasn't played for several weeks.
While not all on Mason, but the kamo lineout was poor last week, and he just doesn't look big enough to me.
Are a few from the sharks should be knocking on the door, assume Matich has made himself unavailable as I expect he is a big part of the sharks form at 6.
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@taniwharugby I agree regarding Fano ,probably more of a 6 than a lock ,Raikabula Moemoedonu is another option ..
Personally I know it does not goof not going with going local , But would have looked at Tate Evans from Harbour , tall athletic, good at lineout time
