Southland vs Northland

[taniwharugby]

couple of interesting selections...Wright off the bench, Stokes at 8 are probably the only 2 that 'surprise' me; 3 run on debutants, 4 on the bench.

Thought Caird or Sweetman may have got the nod to lock, but Temo looks like one of those types that when he hits his straps he could be devastating.

Otherwise looks solid, some real potential in there, just need them to fire in the arctic conditions they are heading to!

1 Isileli Tu'ungafasi - Mid Northern
2 Jordan Olsen -Mid Northern - Captain
3 Corey Te Whata-Colley -Western Sharks - Debut
4 Temo Mayanavanua - Waipu
5 Josh Goodhue - Kamo
6 Sam McNamara - Waipu
7 Matt Matich - Western Sharks
8 Aorangi Stokes - OBM
9 Sam Nock - Kerikeri
10 Jack Debreczeni - Eastern
11 Pisi Leilua - Waipu - Debut
12 Blake Hohaia - Kamo
13 Matt Johnson - OBM - Debut
14 Jordan Hyland - Wellsford
15 Scott Gregory - Hikurangi

REPLACEMENTS
16 Paddy Jo Atkins - Wellsford
17 Ross Wright - Wellsford
18 Jack Straker - Kamo
19 Sam Caird - OBM - Debut
20 Kane Jacobson - Kamo
21 Will Grant - Hora Hora - Debut
22 Tom Smith - Kerikeri - Debut
23 Jonty Rae - OBM - Debut

Unavailable due to Injury

Tamati Tua, Tom Robinson, Rene Ranger, Dan Hawkins, Harrison Levien

Unsure what is up with Tua and Hawkins, Ranger and Robinson knee, and I believe Levien is concussion although should be ok next week.

[kev]

@taniwharugby same surprises with me. Stokes is not big for a number 8 but huge motor.

[J77]

I like Matich at 7, however if Stokes doesn’t work at 8 we can chuck Matich back there and bring in Jacobsen, who I also rate.

Be interesting to see what sort of side the Banjos put out. They have Marty McKenzie back, and have Eliot Dixon up front, so I’m not expecting them to be a complete pushover. That coupled with the possible conditions could make things a little tricky. If we were at home I’d say us by at least 20-30, but down there it could be tight. Gone 17+ in my picks, but I get a feeling it could be an arm wrestle.

[taniwharugby]

@J77 yeah I have mentioned a few times that if Matich was to become a regular super player, 7 might be his best position, possibly a shade small for 8/6 at that level (obviously just my opinion)...has the work rate for 7 (well all loosie positions) so will be interesting to see how he goes.

Anyone know if the snow has cleared haha!

[Duluth]

Southland
Josh Moorby, Isaac Te Tamaki, Seb Wileman, Ray Nu'u, Lausii Taliauli, Marty McKenzie (vc), Logan Crowley, Bill Fukofuka, Phil Halder, Charles Alaimalo, Mike McKee, Ray Tatafu, Morgan Mitchell, Flynn Thomas (c), Ethan de Groot.

Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Joe Walsh, Chris Apoua, Ben Fotheringham, Matt James, Nico Costa, Scott Eade, Moses Faletolu

[J77]

@Duluth said in vs Southland:

Southland
Josh Moorby, Isaac Te Tamaki, Seb Wileman, Ray Nu'u, Lausii Taliauli, Marty McKenzie (vc), Logan Crowley, Bill Fukofuka, Phil Halder, Charles Alaimalo, Mike McKee, Ray Tatafu, Morgan Mitchell, Flynn Thomas (c), Ethan de Groot.

Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Joe Walsh, Chris Apoua, Ben Fotheringham, Matt James, Nico Costa, Scott Eade, Moses Faletolu

Other than McKenzie how many others have played Super Rugby in that side?

I’ve only heard of a small handful of those players. Having said that these are typical banana skin games, especially for Northland, who seem to be able to lose to anyone on any day!

The last thing we want is this game being a “shoulda, coulda, woulda” match come seasons end.

[taniwharugby]

@J77 I know 8 names in the 23, but then I guess Southland fans would look at our team and think 'who the hell are they' about most of them too.

Looks like the snow side of the weather has improved, but looks like weather will play its part on what looks to be a cold wet night

We 'should' win this, but it is also the type of game we so often let ourselves down in too

[Bovidae]

@J77

Brayden Mitchell has played for 3 super rugby teams over the years but very rarely as a starting hooker. I read that he and Thomas are co-captains so whoever is playing will be their captain.

[J77]

@Bovidae ah yep of course he was with the Chiefs for a while wasn’t he?

They also have one of our old players in Chris Apoua. We also have one of theirs in Matt Johnson. A bit of inside knowledge on both sides.

[Stargazer]

I recognise about 13 names in that Southland squad.

Te Tamaki has been in the All Blacks 7s squad; Nu'u has been in the Highlanders set-up, but I don't think he's played for them; Flynn Thomas (former NZU20 hooker) may have played a few games for the Highlanders against lesser opposition last year; he has been in their environment for at least two years. Braydon Mitchell has played for the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Chiefs. Willeman and Taliauli have come from the Brumbies (not sure whether they have actually played for them). Some of the others have played for the Stags for years.

[Bovidae]

@J77 Highlanders, Canes and Chiefs. Played for Waikato in 2013-14.

He didn't play last year because of major neck surgery.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/114784007/competition-for-southland-stags-no-2-jersey-healthy

[Machpants]

Ugh what a start to the season, NZ's most annoying commenTAAAYTor, who was born X, went to playCENtre at Y, PriMARy at Z, college at ....

[Machpants]

lovely weather. too

[Stargazer]

YC coming soon ..

[Machpants]

@Stargazer said in vs Southland:

YC coming soon ..

Nope wasted

[Stargazer]

@Machpants Yeah, surprised Northland still don't have points on the board.

[Machpants]

A hell of a lot of pressure and territory for no reward

[African Monkey]

@Machpants Ken Laban is a beautiful commentator.

[nzzp]

@Stargazer said in vs Southland:

YC coming soon ..

Dunno what the ref was on saying 'only 2'. They copped 2 offside penalties, followed by 2 straight scrum penalties. Frustrating.

Still, Northland look to have plenty here - should take this one with fitness

[Stargazer]

Typical first game of the season. Lots of handling errors, all looking very rusty. And that's including the ref.