Northland v North Harbour
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@taniwharugby said in Northland v North Harbour:
@Bovidae yeah we didnt play that well, scored a few good tries, but we missed alot of first up tackles, whereas most other weeks our first up defence has been pretty good but the unstructured stuff we fell apart.
But gee, NH were poor today, we were better fortunately.
Missed tackles were 27 Northland to 25 NH
I think some of Harbour's defensive errors didn't count as missed tackles because the defenders were so far away
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@mikey07 said in Northland v North Harbour:
Anyone wondering why Stevenson isn’t an All Black that pathetic attempt at a tackle is why.
I spent a lot of time watching him, he's great on attack and has an awesome kick. But he's lazy and sulky, once NH was having a mare he had a face like a slapped arse and really put fuck all effort in.
Very enjoyable game, fun tries. But no panhead, only in the posh lounges I guess,
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@kev yeah I think I prefer Nichols outside Evans, better balance.
Think Nock getting dropped fired him up as he has looked sharp when he came on last week and today, I know he never will, but needs to direct his pack better.
That said, the pack went pretty well and has been for a few weeks, particularly at scrumtime, so kudos to Ross Wright, he's doing some good work, both young props Lemisio and Fono looking good after both had struggles at times.
LIneout is largely good, but when Moulds goes off, it is largely average, or is it Caird too as they both seem to go at the same time, is interesting the lock subs, while Craig has a huge workrate, I think he just lacks a bit of aggression that both Caird and LHE bring with thier own big workrates.
I think Fish needs to start, he has shown glimpses off the bench, showed some fire today but play didnt go his way in the 2nd half, Murray is all class, but bounces not falling for him this year and dropped a couple this season with try line begging.
Trainor is a safe pair of hands at the back (he's better than safe, but best way to describe him I think) low error rate.
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I can't believe it has taken the coach this long into the season to put Corey Evans in to 12. Having another play maker and a left footed kicking option at 12 makes our backline far less predictable and more dangerous. Tavita Latu 9 times out of 10 seems to just crash the ball straight up and it makes it so easy to shut down our attacks.
Other thing I would question the coach on is how he has treated some of the young guys this year. Nankivell came off the bench in the 2nd half against Waikato but then was subbed off again. Seemed to go ok in the Bs game against Akl the other week. That sort of thing can't do a young dudes confidence any good. Also don't understand why Tavita Nabura got the bench spot last week over a guy like Tama Anderson. Anderson seemed to go ok last year in his few appearances, why not give him another go.
One thing about this game that surprised me during the NH game was how unfit some of the NH guys looked...Cameron Suafoa was the one that stood out in that respect. I know he's had his health issues but thought he would be fitter after playing for the Blues.
Shaun Stevenson has to be one of the most niggly players playing pro rugby in NZ. He would've copped a few whacks 20 years ago I reckon how he carries on off the ball
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@Chiefy07 yea some of his calls have been head scratchers, more so he has always been big on developing players.
Evans/Nichols does seem a better midfield, Latu is more the straight running 12, and tbf only looked sharp v Manawatu.
Yep, Nabura is an odd one too, although Tama did not look good in his time v Waikato, but then you need to give guys a meaningful run.
Nankivell has all the skills and ability, maybe they need to get Hawkins to mentor him, he reads the game really well but always been limited physically (size and pace) but never lacked courage.
Worst is how long it took to give Salmon a start, while Brady Rush has gone better than I expected, Salmon is definitely someone we should be starting.
As above, liking the work of our young props though.
