V Manawatu
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Duluth" data-cid="606763" data-time="1471594817"><p>
Pryor has been struggling with the new laws but showing class with the ball in hand</p></blockquote>Yes he's given away 3 or 4 penalties at the ruck. He's giving it the confused look and the ref almost seems to be feeling sorry for him and letting him off lightly. -
Defensive line is all over the show but we have some game at least. The points have given us confidence, so we need to start well in second half.<br><br>
Scrum seems capable and even dominant sometimes but have been scrubs where we have not been in the contest. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kev" data-cid="606771" data-time="1471595410"><p>
Defensive line is all over the show but we have some game at least. The points have given us confidence, so we need to start well in second half.<br><br>
Scrum seems capable and even dominant sometimes but have been scrubs where we have not been in the contest.</p></blockquote>If by start well you mean give away a dumb penalty, then they've listened to you very carefully Kev. -
We should have kicked for the corners in the last 10 minutes. Played too much rugby around our half.<br><br>
It seemed like Manawatu players were standing on the side of the ruck kicking at our ball making it messy. If they want the new rules to work they need to tidy up this kicking at the ball at ruck time - I prefer the old rules in that regard where you had guys on the ball, rather than using their feet. -
Fucking disappointing, seemed to run out of puff in the last quarter - there were soft turnovers, soft penalties, no ball control at the rucks and we just didn't fire a shot.<br><br>
Tough 4 games on the road now... As TR has said, it's entirely possible that we'll be 0-5 before our next home game. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kev" data-cid="606804" data-time="1471598777"><p>
We should have kicked for the corners in the last 10 minutes. Played too much rugby around our half.<br><br>
It seemed like Manawatu players were standing on the side of the ruck kicking at our ball making it messy. If they want the new rules to work they need to tidy up this kicking at the ball at ruck time - I prefer the old rules in that regard where you had guys on the ball, rather than using their feet.</p></blockquote> Was thinking the same thing. I've never seen so many players come through (or around) a ruck and just boot the ball. It becomes a free for all and not good watching.<br><br>
Also very much agree with playing too much in our own half, especially as they were coming up fast and smashing us back well behind the advantage line time and time again.<br><br>
It felt like the last try had an air of inevitably about it, as I said before, we ran out of steam, which is a concern. -
I thought the performance was good in parts - set piece worked well and the outside backs looked good. Defence with straight lines needs some work. <br><br>
Yes we dropped off in the last 15 minutes. Thought we lacked control at this critical time.<br><br>
But the performance was miles better than last year. If they can build from this we will win some games. <br><br>
Nb: Macalai is such a quality player now. His time with the Crusaders has improved him as a rugby player. -
<p>went in with such low expectations, after 20 mins, it looked like a big one on the cards....some good play, but by fuck the Poo got away with alot of off the ball shit, did that call in the 2nd spell with the TMO go looking for a knee and kick to the headl of Matich?? </p>
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<p>AR should have called it, was right in front of him, as was a half spear tackle on Dunn off the ball a little earlier.</p>
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<p>Is it the new rules that allowed Manawatu to march round and kick at the ball almost every ruck as well?? </p>
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<p>Like the look of Solomona, he looks to have some toe...our mid-field defence looks all at sea at times.</p>
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<p>Thought most of our forwards stood up, Matich in particular was everywhere, Goodhue had a big 1st half but wasnt as prominent in the 2nd.</p>
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<p>Just before they scored the kick pass I said to J77 that thier winger was so wide, it was on....</p>
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<p>The roller coaster ride as a Northland fan continues....go in down low, get lower, get up, up, look down form the top, and then at the last minute, you drop! </p>
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<p>More positives from that than I was expecting, but still a loss
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Yep gotta say I was pleasantly surprised with the performance tonight. Not the result obviously but some good signs. I wouldn't be so down on our chances to get a result or two on the road, the loosies will get better, the 10 looks good and I like the look of our fullback.
