Northland Rugby 2022
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@taniwharugby Blimey that means the reserve team would have to leave about 8.00am to get there and be ready for kick off. Not so bad for the return trip though with plenty of refreshment stop options on the way back! I suppose it does impact negatively on working people making themselves available for those long away games and there would be a lot of mix and match patch up away teams making do with who they can rustle up.
My nephew plays fourth grade for Sydney Uni where they usually kick off at something like 0910hrs and it never tires me remarking that they must be bullying the Under 6s off the field so they can have their games! Having said that I see he has been dropped for this week (Uni publish the starting lineups for all their teams on their website every Thursday night) which can only mean one or a combination of
i) unpaid subscription
ii) injured - obviously gets that from his mother's side
iii) new girlfriend on the scene
iv) did not turn up for training
v) slept in and did not make kick off time last time they played
vi) simply not being good enough to warrant selection now that his father is no longer coaching him -
the MN v Kamo game was cancelled due to a number of Kamo players getting covid.
Fortunate for Kamo, unfortunate for MN as they get 2 points each, meaning HH go to the top of the table, although with MN-HH playing next week, it wont really matter.
Other results went as expected, although Kamo getting 2 points leaves them in 3rd on 26 points, Waipu back into the top 4 in 4th and 3 other teams all in striking distance of the top 4
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Final round of play leading into the finals.
Top 2 are certain, I guess there is a mathematical chance Kamo could snare 2nd, but no...top 2 play one another this week, havent seen if one or both will put out full strength sides yet, given both have home semis and the final will be at Okara.
Its the battle for the final spot that will be interesting, Waipu (4th) face bottom of the table Hikurangi in Waipu, so they are all but assured a top 4 spot.
Kamo (3rd) are facing OBM (6th) in a crucial match up...Kamo win, they finish 3rd, lose with a BP and things become interesting.
OBM really need to win with a BP, while denying Kamo one.
Ngati Hine Moerewa / Kawa Kawa United also have a shot, but do so with the tough prospect of beating the sharks, last years champs; if they win with a BP, then only a Kamo win can keep them out of the top 4.
The Sharks are also an outside chance, needing a BP win, but other results to fall thier way.
No idea on who to pick between 1 v 2 until teams named, but reckon at home, HH will sneak it.
OBM v Kamo - OBM to beat Kamo, but only getting 4 points, Kamo will get a BP keeping them ahead of OBM
NHM/KKU v Sharks - home side to nab it, pushing them to 27 points, which will be the same as Kamo, but as they beat Kamo a few weeks back, I believe they will go through on that.The other game, with no bearing on the final placings is KK v Wellsford.
Top 4:
1 - HH
2 - MN
3 - Waipu
4 - NHM/KKU
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dumb arse me, I knew there was a game today, but thought was the Waipu-Hika game...turns outs, that was last night, as expected, Waipu accounted for Hika 46-7 to book thier place in the top 4.
But the surprise today (in both not realising this game was today, and the result) was the top of the table clash between HH & MN, both sides fielding pretty much full strength lineups, and MN laying a marker, comfortably seeing off HH 8-36 to claim top spot, in what would have been damp conditions.
In doing so, they also took away whatever mathematical chance Kamo may have had of finishing 2nd.
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todays results see Moerewa/United Kawa Kawa take the final spot in the top 4 as they finish after they were far too strong for the Sharks 41-7.
OBM and Kamo finished at 22 all, which left Kamo & M/UKK on 28 points, M/UKK with a superior f/a and they beat Kamo several weeks back, well deserving of thier top 4 finish.
Next weeks semi finalists:
Mid Northern v Ngati Hine Moerewa / United Kawa Kawa
Hora Hora v Waipu
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Great to see the big fella back for another round!
Amid rumours of our coaches looking at calling players in from elsewhere (not marquee signings either) ignoring guys like Wright and Davies, who have put in the mahi this year, kicking it in club footy for years and still able to foot it in npc...not to mention there seems to be little development of the small number of promising young props playing locally.
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Also signed Trent Hape as the 3rd 9, originally from HB I believe, wouldnt have been my first choice as our 3rd 9, but hope he goes well!
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@taniwharugby Yep, Hawke's Bay lad, who played 1st XV for Hastings Boys, including in the 2016 Top Four Final. He has played a lot of sevens for Hawke's Bay and was at the Ignite 7s in 2018. He's never played for the Magpies.
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Fantastic news, definitely the kind of guy we need in and around the squad for.both his play and experience on and off the field.
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3 more signings announced, loose forward and Waipu skipper, Jonah Mau'u, HH prop Esile Fono and Mid Northerns Kalani Going in the mid field
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Semi finals day, with a very strong Mid Northern at home to Moerewa / United Kawakawa, and Hora Hora hosting Waipu.
Moerewa / United Kawakawa in thier first finals appearance have named a full strength side too, which against most of the other sides would be very handy, but have to think MN will be too strong as they press for consecutive finals appearances.
In the other side, this game should be a bit closer, after being schooled by MN last week, the HH pack will no doubt be out to right that, while I expect a tight game, I think HH will come through.
And in the south zone championship semi final today, Mid Western host Whangaruru in what is a pretty significant milestone for Michael Danks, hitting 250 games for Mid Western!
@Gunner assume he was part of the side that won the premiership however many years back that was, he also looks like he has a few more seasons left in him??
What did you hit last year, was it 200?
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Mid Northern rolled over Moerewa / UKK to book thier place in the final, against Waipu who got past HH at home.
Looking like MN coming into form at the right time and will no doubt be faves for the final.
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@taniwharugby think I got up to about 215 or there abouts.
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@taniwharugby also, yes Danks was in the MW team when we won the premiership in 11 & 12.
Interestingly enough, when Ben Berridge left school, the Northland coach at the time wanted him to play hooker. Our coach at the time (who you would have played a bit of golf with TR) told him to get eff’d, we’ve got a good hooker, Berridge is playing 8!
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More signings trickling out.
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@Chiefy07 Matiu has leaned up alot, so be interesting to see what his carries are like.
I think there is another prop to add, maybe 2 as I have heard rumours a contracted prop has pulled out (unsure of reasoning, injured or otherwise) but they are looking at someone off-shore...
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The Terepai King selection caught me by surprise , to be honest I am actually delighted as it means Eslie Fono ,Kalani Going & Terepai King have all come through via the Northland futures program..
As previously stated I am agreement there’s probably only 2 spaces left to cover , someone to cover Ofa Tuangafasi and one extra ..have heard of 2 possible outside propping options , but not a liberty to say at this time . -
@Steven-Harris yeah I see Fono at my gym now and then, and TR Jnr chats to him when he comes into his work, said he is a really nice guy, seems very humble
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Wouldn't we have enough props to use without going offshore. I've always rated Justin Davies and for someone who came in last minute last year I thought he went well. Also still got Coree TeWhata Colley too
What about the lock from UK-M that came from BoP?
