Moana Pasifika v Highlanders
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Other than what has already been said, my only other feeling from that game, would be that Johnstone simply has to be in 17 over Lienert-Brown.
DLB's scrummaging has never been good, so needs to make up for it round the field, and he has been woeful there nearly all season.
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Absolutely stoked to get a win like that. Score board doesn’t really reflect how well we played or dominated that game but certainly felt like we were in control throughout. Moana did have their chances and moments so credit to them for how they played too.
Absolutely stoked for Cam Millar and how well he went today. To be able to put an 80 minute display together like that in those conditions is a great foundation to build off. Also to be able to put that early kick out on the full and missing that early kick behind him and play how he did shows mental strength and not let it get the best of him, good to see for a young 10.
Millar has definitely earned that jersey to start next weekend against the crusaders, what better challenge to keep building from!
Going to enjoy this one and get pumped for next weekend! Up the landers!
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One thing I forgot to mention earlier when I was praising Millars efforts. How immense was Tavatavanawai! By far our signing of the season and I would go as far as saying he’s our back of the year just ahead of JRK.
His carries always break the gain line, 9 times out of 10 his carries give us quick ball, doesn’t make any bad defensive reads and always seems to come up with 1 or 2 crucial turnovers a game. His 2 today in our 22 and one on the goal line were unreal, without those the game could have gone the other way because both were against the run of play. Massive game from him and hoping to see more next weekend!
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Millar had an excellent game in that torrential rain. It’s not only the rain but the humidity. It turns the ball into a slippery bar of soap. It’s good for NZ players to get experience playing in these kinds of conditions in the Pacific as it really tests the ball handling skills.
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@Machpants said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
I'm surprised by the number of Highlanders supporters
Fakatava (and Frizzell’s) old high school and their extended family. The Reds also had a supporter group in Apia for last year’s MP match given Jordan Petaia’s family and village rocked up in numbers. There were also ex-Otago Uni students who retain some loyalties to the highlanders from their student days.
Actually, every away team which has a PI player in their midst will find a surprising number of supporters in Tonga and Samoa when they play there.
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@Machpants said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
MP 15 been very good
He’s David Havili’s brother. William Havili is the best player in the MP backline this year in the absence of their stars they lost to the Highlanders (Tavatavanawai) and Crusaders (Aumua). The MP forwards have been a bit better this year but they’ve lacked a killer punch in the backs that they had with Aumua & Tavatavanawai. If only those guys had this year’s MP forwards giving them front-foot ball, MP would’ve had a few more wins.
