V Auckland
-
I think the team will be really disappointed. The effort and physicality was great but the performance lacked accuracy. Dropping so much ball on attack and not winning line outs from penalties just killed our game. That has been our problem in the past - being poor at set piece and therefore not being able to implement a game plan. It is frustrating to watch so for the guys who train and play it would be doubly so.<br><br>
The scrum is awesome this year so hats off to the coaches and players. It just goes to show that we can get things right. But I think we should expect to see the same improvements in line out and backline play next week. Every now and then that happens with line outs so I think the lesson will be learnt quickly. With the backline, you could see we had moves to create space but the conditions were so windy that the cutout passes were drifting away from players and we needed to change what we were trying to achieve. Those moves will work better in different conditions. As you guys suggest, we should try a Hyland / Tua combination. Still think Alaimalo is a good option as well if that doesn't work. We need to look for improvements early in the season rather than wait for things to happen.<br><br>
Hope the injuries are not serious -
Just an update on the injuries,<br><br>
2 of them are not good,<br>
Dan Pryor has a knee injury,possibly season ending<br>
Josh Goodhue has a very bad concussion,this could be a week by week proposition,<br><br>
Jone Macilai and Micheal Faleafa both out for a week,<br>
Going to watch the bs play Auckland this afternoon,I would imagine a few reinforcements will be required for the A team. -
Hopefully a couple from the bs might step up...<br><br>
Loosie is our best position depth wise and yes Dan is a huge blow, but Kara, Ram and Matich are still a very good trio...expect Manu to come in now? <br><br>
Who was locking behind Larsen? -
<p>A few smart decisions (such as staying away from the lineout after receiving penalties) and you guys were a real chance of victory I felt especially with the way you guys were making plenty of yards through the middle which we were struggling to contain. Still, great character shown by your lot after losing key players during the match, there's some good young players there (and Dan Hawkins too). Can't say I was too impressed by my team but we can only get better I suppose.</p>
-
<p>After 2 rounds of the comp there are some players with good stats:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Carries:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Luke Whitelock Canterbury <span>40</span></p>
<p>Greg Foe Wellington <span>26</span></p>
<p>Michael Collins Otago <span>25</span></p>
<p>Murphy Taramai North Harbour <span>25</span></p>
<p><strong>Jordan Olsen Northland</strong> <strong><span>24</span></strong></p>
<p>Christopher Vui North Harbour <span>24</span></p>
<p>Monty Ioane Bay Of Plenty <span>22</span></p>
<p>Michael Little North Harbour <span>22</span></p>
<p>Isaia Walker-Leawere Wellington <span>22</span></p>
<p>Johnny McNicholl Canterbury <span>22</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Clean Breaks:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ngani Laumape Manawatu <span>6</span></p>
<p>Fa'asiu Fuatai Otago <span>6</span></p>
<p>Matt Vaega North Harbour <span>6</span></p>
<p>Nathan Earle Canterbury <span>5</span></p>
<p>Mitchell Scott Otago <span>5</span></p>
<p><strong>Kara Pryor Northland</strong> <strong><span>5</span></strong></p>
<p>Wes Goosen Wellington <span>5</span></p>
<p>Joe Hill Wellington <span>5</span></p>
<p><strong>Solomona Alaimalo Northland</strong> <strong><span>4</span></strong></p>
<p>Willis Halaholo Waikato <span>4</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Metres Gained:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Solomona Alaimalo Northland</strong> <strong><span>184</span></strong></p>
<p>Johnny McNicholl Canterbury <span>182</span></p>
<p>Fa'asiu Fuatai Otago <span>182</span></p>
<p>Michael Little North Harbour <span>181</span></p>
<p>Matt Proctor Wellington <span>176</span></p>
<p>Jordie Barrett Canterbury <span>174</span></p>
<p>Matt Duffie North Harbour <span>166</span></p>
<p>Sam Vaka Counties Manukau <span>150</span></p>
<p>Afa Fa'atau North Harbour <span>147</span></p>
<p>Melani Nanai Auckland <span>146</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Offloads:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Luke Whitelock Canterbury <span>9</span></p>
<p>Hamish Northcott Manawatu <span>6</span></p>
<p><em>Jack Goodhue Canterbury</em> <em><span>6</span></em></p>
<p>Michael Collins Otago <span>6</span></p>
<p><strong>Solomona Alaimalo Northland</strong> <strong><span>5</span></strong></p>
<p>Viliame Rarasea Counties Manukau <span>5</span></p>
<p>Teihorangi Walden Otago <span>5</span></p>
<p>Marty McKenzie Taranaki <span>5</span></p>
<p>Joe Tupe Bay Of Plenty <span>4</span></p>
<p>Matt Garland Hawkes Bay <span>4</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tackles:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>James Lentjes Otago <span>33</span></p>
<p>Hugh Renton Hawkes Bay <span>28</span></p>
<p>Ash Dixon Hawkes Bay <span>27</span></p>
<p>Jacob Skeen Waikato <span>27</span></p>
<p>Mark Abbott Hawkes Bay <span>25</span></p>
<p>Tony Lamborn Hawkes Bay <span>24</span></p>
<p><strong>Matt Matich Northland</strong> <strong><span>24</span></strong></p>
<p>Shane Christie Ta$man <span>23</span></p>
<p>Michael Little North Harbour <span>23</span></p>
<p>Heiden Bedwell Manawatu <span>23</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Solomon Alaimalo will turn some heads if he keeps putting those numbers up...</p> -
<p>We should be winning the lineouts lost stat....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Despite losing our opening matches, I see far more positives about our rugby already this year than last year, and looking at our draw, a winless season is again on the cards, but if we lose every game fighting, then I'll be able to deal with it easier than last year</p>
<p><img src="https://scontent-syd1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14115028_1371651159530811_4090615459994224916_o.png" alt="14115028_1371651159530811_40906154599942"></p> -
D Duluth moved this topic from Taniwha Rugby on
