The Silver Fern

The club is full of crap. Some of the incidents of 'foul play' are just straight out violence and have been referred to the police is my understanding. The club should make these players stand up and take responsibility for their actions not cry foul for being held to account

The Blues should be happy with the form of Josh Goodhue and Tom Robinson for the Taniwha so far. Also think they could do a lot worse than Ross Wright for a squad spot covering Loosehead and Hooker

Already a minor victory for Northland...Matt Johnson isn't playing.

@steven-harris Despite the scoreline I think Moulds likely would've won that head to head battle. For once someone elses line out was worse than ours and Moulds played well despite most of the others sleep walking through the game

That was awesome! We were strong up front and dangerous in the backs. Apart from a couple of over throws at lineout the set piece was very strong. Good to see Lemisio have a good game after some struggles at the scrum in first few games. I thought Adam's was very strong, holding his end up at the scrum but also strong with ball in hand. Was surprised how consistent BKPs throwing was - rest of his game very good as usual.

As good as Northland were, Ta$man were uncharacteristically poor. They seemed to give up on their lineout halfway through the first half.

I thought LHE had been one of our best in the first half so guessing he went off injured especially given he was replaced by a loosie (Jurlina). Will be a big loss if he's out. Thought that was first game that Rob Rush played near the level of last season - hope he keeps that up.

LMH went well, going to be hard for Nock to break back in I think. Hohaia had one of his best ever games but still think we're better served with Goodhue at 12. Just stronger physically in defense and attack and also better distributor. Tua was quiet but still had some good runs - getting the ball in traffic rather than in space this year unfortunately. As others mentioned Moorby back into form and Murray carrying on his good form. Obviously the tries and runs etc getting the attention but what a handy weapon his left boot is too.

We really needed that result after a bit of a bumbling first week. I wonder if the storm week had been reversed and we played Southland first whether all 3 games might've been better. Hopefully we can carry it on!

@taniwharugby The Blues should ditch Umaga and keep Nock. Nock isn't the only player that Umaga hasn't got the best out of.

@taniwharugby I agree as far as selections go - surely he would have the over riding say, but as far as systems and plans etc, surely the bulk of that would fall on Konia as basically the backs coach?

On another note, I know some people suggest that we need to move away from the locals only policy - I think seasons like this is why it is important we have the locals only policy. If we had that many injuries with a bunch of imports we would have hoisted the white flag near the start of the season and the ring ins wouldn't be near the same quality. As it stands we've managed to blood a whole bunch of local players so that we potentially have better depth going forward.

Can't wait - perfect first home game in 3 years for me!

For me - Rinakama to come in at tighthead and Matich at 8. Rest stays the same. Not sure we need Jacobsen on the bench, after Steves write up I wonder if McNamara is an option?

@pukunui said in Crusaders v Blues:

What the fuck is with the constant use of "learnings" by coaches, players and the post match tv guys? Coaching 101 buzz word?
Why not say lessons?

Thought Goodhue was awesome tonight.
Closest thing to Nonu NZ have had since Nonu.

Duffy comically bad. Can't remember a single good thing he has done this year.
Rieko at 12 is a disaster.

What happened to Read? Was he just given a rest?

I reckon more like a bigger, more physical version of Conrad Smith. Has a high work rate and very intelligent like Conrad.

Matiu was our best in the pack - did get turned over a few times but as @Steven-Harris and @kev and I were thinking at the game, we were a bit slow at cleaning out. Goodhue was next best and I also thought Douglas and Moulds had big games too. In the backs Ranger was so destructive but counter balanced by some silly errors. For me Debreczeni again looked sharp - getting better every week. Would we have gone one or two steps further last season with JD at 10?

I was surprised by Robinsons first half performance (before the YC), he just seemed to seagull around rather than getting stuck in. After he came back on he played a bit more like I was expecting. The YC was damaging but I don't think McDonald will be worried about the intent, just the execution. If he maintains his second half form he will be a big asset for the Blues.

I thought Josh Goodhue had a very good game, carried well and worked hard on defence. No head turning moments but if he keeps playing like that, it should free up some of the other more expansive forwards.

Early days but 9-10 still looks like a weak point. Thought Black stood far too deep which really put the backline on the back foot and meant they were going to have to rely on individual brilliance. Hopefully it improves as the season goes on.

Agree with @taniwharugby so often it's us on the wrong side of a 1 point loss.

Massive effort by the forwards. Robinson again very impressive, Douglas had a very good game - think that switch worked very well. Thought Goodhue had a very good match - would be interested to know how many carries he made - was very busy and strong with ball in hand. The reserve lock wasn't on long but definitely got himself about while he was.

Matich also stood up with his best game of the season so far too. Good to see that Jacobsen is capable if Pryor is unavailable.

I think Nock is getting better and better, looking very confident and more physical so far this season. Debreczeni blew a bit hot and cold but I still think he fits our style of play very well. Hohaia and Ranger looked a better fit in the midfield - Ranger still showing he is one of the best players in the comp. Tua looked to get involved but will be gutted about the dropsie with the line beckoning (and probably the bump off from Mataele). M Wright had his best game so far - he lost his pace while he was overseas - he would've caught Vaeno within 15 metres about 4 or 5 years ago.

I think 5 points from the first 3 games all against Premiership teams is a decent start. I think the coaches would've definitely taken that if it was offered before game one.

The other thing that has been good so far has been the bench - the guys coming on have been adding something. The reserve props struggled against NH but have improved a lot in the next 2 games.

I didn't think the ref was that bad. Some of the calls on knock ons and obstruction were a bit questionable but he was consistent both ways. We had it way worse last week against NH when the ref basically sleep walked through the game.

Some of the mistakes we made today were so basic - handling errors, poor kick options etc Luckily Leilua wasn't playing otherwise it could've been worse...

I think the coaches need to hold their hands up for some of the issues in this game. As mentioned, some of the substitutes were brainless and appeared to be made for the sake of it.

I liked the aggression that Jacobson bought but I think given they were down to 14 it was a game that would've suited Pryor more if he has been fit. Although our losses did well, I think our first choice looses may have tipped the game our way.

Will he interesting to see who is back from injury for the next game

@bovidae I reckon he's rattled and that's why he's carrying on like that. He might not like JP but why not talk to the media? When I lived in London I worked with a guy based in Watford who said he had a bit of a rep around Watford for being a bit of a street thug. Thought maybe it was Tall Poppy/Sour Grapes but heard it a few times during the short time I worked there. I'm not convinced by his 'Holier than thou' act - he's like the Adam Gilchrist of boxing.

I thought the ref had a good game but am convinced he should've been playing advantage for a knock on when they got the last penalty.

That was a really.good first up performance. I genuinely think with better under foot conditions we would have won more comfortably. Felt the backs looked hesitant on the ball after a while.

I thought we lost a lot at the ruck after Matich went off. They were committing more numbers to the breakdown and getting turnovers because of it.

If Robinson is fit I would like to see Robinson, Matich and Matiu at 8. I think we could do with a big ball carrier at 8 which is what Matiu provides.

Fonu struggled early on at scrumtime but could've been down to under foot conditions. Looks a good athlete and is a big unit - good prospect!

I would go for Kauika-Petersen at Hooker. I like Moulds work around the park but line out improved when BK-P came on.

I thought Reihana looked a lot more comfortable at this level. Also think Tua is starting to dominate at this level now.

Awesome result against a good Naki team!

@Crucial said in Blues 2019:

@Tim said in Blues 2019:

Another positive was that Matich looked a lot better than Taramai at this level.

Not getting at your comment or assessment @Tim but it occurred to me that considering the amount of moaning we do about depth being eroded by overseas clubs the players that stick around to make up the numbers here cop a lot of criticism. Taramai is the type of player that could earn ok in Japan/Italy or second tier UK/France yet is still here.
Maybe we should accept that there is a place for these guys and judge them accordingly?

So like Matt Matich then? I had heard he was likely to head offshore after the last NPC if he didn't pick up a SR gig. As @Duluth mentioned he has been consistently good for a few seasons now (arguably much better than Taramai) and never got much of a chance.

I'm glad Konia is going - dropping Going for Hohaia is ridiculous. Goings performance was probably a 6/10 the other day but still probably better than 95% of the games Hohaia has played for Northland. Also dropping Goodhue is another poor decision.

We should roll Manawatu comfortably but given our current form it's probably 50/50 at this stage.

Good to get that result. Was doing the haka in the lounge at 8am at that ridiculous 14 point try for Otago after the call on K Pryor, but I guess we got away with a shocking call in the lead up to the match winning penalty when Matich dropped it near the ref so can't complain too much. Still a shame to let them get a bonus point.

Have to say although we're looking dangerous in the backs this year the forwards are really setting a platform. Rinakama, Moulds and Wright are consistently playing well. Think Moulds is finally standing out now - guess the increased game time for the Blues has benefitted him. Josh Goodhue played the best game I've ever seen him play for Northland - his ball carries were a step up on what he's done previously.

I think Douglas going into lock was a bit of a blessing for us - we had a mobile loose trio that really put Otago under a lot of pressure. Think that's our strongest loose trio although you could swap in K Pryor for either of D Pryor and Ram too. Think having Matich back tightens up the defence a lot.

Agree with @Gunner that Sam Nock is going well. Thought bar the one kick out on the full he was excellent again - he's winning the head to head battles most games. Jack Goodhue again stood out - he's looking like an AB playing Mitre 10 Cup. Clawed an intercept back but think he's still in the red. He is a very smart player and has some nice touches but has also been a big physical presence in midfield - makes him and Ranger such a handful. Thought Hyland was good again apart from getting exploited by a few kicks - that's definitely going to need looking at. His ball carrying and defence have been excellent. Alaimalo and Macilai again very good - you can see why they're statistically two of the more dangerous in the comp. Hopefully Alaimalo can get the 15 jersey for the Chiefs and see if he can kick on at that level. It will be interesting to see where Tamati Tua fits in for the rest of the season - can't see a place in the starting line up just yet.

Interesting to see how different players are standing out this year. When we weren't playing so well guys like Dan and Kara Pryor really stood out, however this year with the whole team really performing some of the other guys have started to step up like Ross Wright, Josh Goodhue, Nock and Hyland yet the Pryor brothers haven't been as prominent. Not saying they're playing poorly just not standing out quite as much as previously.

With Sam Nocks form you wonder if he will be a shot at the NZ Maori squad. Same with Ross Wright - he's been going well so far this season and the NZ Maori are short of propping depth.

@ACT-Crusader said in QF - Canterbury vs Northland:

Just a little nervous about this one. Has a bit of a banana skin to it with the way the Taniwha play. Been impressed with them this season. Well coached side.

I’ll be interested in what backline we start with.

In some respects like the scrum maybe but overall I think the coaching has been a bit of a handbrake for Northland this year. Selections and tactics have often been questionable. Whilst our intent on defence has been much better we're still defending far too Narrow which has been a problem the last few years as well.

If Northland are to hve any chance in this game they will have to drastically cut down on their error rate. I'm giving us a chance but definitely underdogs.

Big shame Northland couldn't hold on for the win, with 5 minutes to go I thought we had it.

North Harbour are definitely a good side these days, think we did well but obviously one that got away. Breen was good while he was on but think he will be gutted about his effort on Volavola.

I reckon Sam Nock has been a big improver this season - todays game he was really good. If he maintains that form he will be putting a lot of pressure on for the Blues 9 jumper. Matiu and Faleafa both offered some good aggression - think it's good having Faleafa on the bench with his hard running. We missed Matich (all game) and Bonds tackling in the 2nd half.

Jordan Hyland has definitely stepped up this season, obviously got the try today but also his defence and physicality is a big plus.

Not sure if we will get any extra Super Rugby players despite our form. Still think Jack Ram would be great at that level but I reckon Witcombe will be having franchises keen on him in a coaching role soon - we were good before he left, rubbish while he was gone and he's come back and got us humming. It helps having Goodhue and Ranger come back but other than that the squad is relatively similar to the last 2 seasons.

Also how good was Ross Wrights one handed catch and off load?!? - can't believe he got ruled out for that!