v North Harbour

[JK]

Saw a couple of instagram vids over the week which didnt indicate he was injured but may have been filmed prior to the weekend

[Tim]

@JK Cool. You've been digging deep!

[Gunner]

@Tim said in v North Harbour:

TAB odds:

1 Northland 2.40
2 Nth Harbour 1.57
3 Draw 21.00

Fortunately for Harbour, Adrian Smith provides pretty good hooker cover.

Pretty attractive odds for a Northland win considering their last two efforts.

[J77]

TOLL NORTHLAND TEAM TO FACE NORTH HARBOUR

Toll Northland vs North Harbour
Thursday 14th September 2017
Kick-off 7:35pm

1. RossWright
2. Matt Moulds
3. Ropate Rinakama
4. Murray Douglas
5. Tim Bond
6. Jack Ram
7. Dan Pryor
8. Jaycob Matiu (Blazer Game)
9. Sam Nock
10. Dan Hawkins
11. Jone Macilai
12. Jack Goodhue
13. Rene Ranger
14. Solomon Alaimalo (Blazer Game)
15. Matt Wright

Replacements

16. Jordan Olsen
17. Howard Sililoto
18. Phil Kite
19. Josh Larsen
20. Michael Faleafa
21. Matty Markwick
22. Peter Breen
23. Blake Hohaia

Not Considered for Selection due to Injury

Josh Goodhue
Matt Matich
Kara Pryor
Tom Robinson
Tamati Tua
Namatahi Waa
Malcolm MacLeod

[J77]

Couple of new injuries this week. Matich out is a real bummer.

Would like to perhaps see Alaimalo and Matty Wright swap places to be honest. Wrights defence is a little suspect, can't fault his attack though..

[Gunner]

A few changes, but still a strong team.

Good chance for Matiu, he hasn't had many starts (if any).

Hope we start getting some of the injured guys back - while our good depth means we keep putting out a strong team, we can't afford to lose any more!!!

[J77]

@Gunner Yeah we don't want to lose too many more that's for sure. Be nice if we actually had reports on what the injuries are, we always seem to be in the dark with that. I mean what's up with Kara Pryor, hes been out for nearly two weeks now??

The only one we have heard about is Josh Goodhue with a head knock..

[taniwharugby]

before the Southland game I had heard both Pryors had shoulder niggles so maybe Kara's got the best of him after that game? Think Tua's was a shoulder as well, and initially diagnosed as 2 weeks, now on his 3rd...now that I think of it Waa might also have a shoulder issue.

Robinson was always likely to miss most of the season anyway wasn't he?

Guess Goodhue could be back next week, or the one after, with these head knocks, who knows!

Did Matich take a knock to the head in the game?

[Steven Harris]

Jordon Hyland probably the unlucky one to miss out.

Should see most of the players injured back next week from what I understand,only Namatahi Waa unlikely to be available.

Tom Robinson is back running which is good news.

[kev]

@Gunner I noticed how hard Matiu hits. Looking forward to watching him. We want to win the physical contests to put pressure on. Our bench still looks good - Michael Faleafa is getting his first run in the reserves, I like Larsen, all our props have played well.

[taniwharugby]

Late change with Matt Wright withdrawing, assume headaches?

[Gunner]

@taniwharugby said in v North Harbour:

Late change with Matt Wright withdrawing, assume headaches?

Flu according to the Advocate.
I'm amazed that there is some commentary/explanation around an illness/injury as we don't normally get those details.

[J77]

Quite happy to see Alaimalo back at fullback, and Hyland onto the wing. Shame for Matty Wright, but defensively I think we'll be a bit more effective with what we have tonight.

The key is obviously starving their back three of ball, that's where Goodhue and Ranger will have to keep up the good work so far.

Still going to be a frickin tight game though! Us by 5

[Gunner]

Untidy so far from Northland, not able to hold enough ball and build any pressure

[Gunner]

Harbour have some serious rush defence going on, but gee they're pushing the offside line.

2 or 3 times the third defender out has started rushing from a metre offside.

[Gunner]

Shit hometown AR call goes against us there which leads to 3 points to Harbour.

6-6

[Gunner]

9-6

[Gunner]

Northland penalised because the Harbou lifters dropped their jumper.... hmmmm?

2 shit calls have lead to Harbours last 6 points

9-9

[kev]

@Gunner I think we have had the rough end of some decisions. They are about line speed so we need to bend the line with some forward rushes. We are looking competitive but need to watch if we turn the ball over.

[Gunner]

Pretty decent half of footy.

Some great defence from both sides, including some great hits.

It's going to come down to who takes their chances in the 2nd 40.

C'mon Blue!