The Year of the Taniwha...sort of
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I'm not a hardcore Taniwha supporter, I'm a member of the supporters club but not a season ticket type - imported that I am. But from hwat I have seen ver the last 7 or so years I've lived here and followed the Taniwha, this season should be celebrated. Yes there were some average (read poor) performances, but this is the best ever for NLD! Kai pai boys! It is a pro comp, but not full time pro, and you're going to see inconsitencies in performances. They were no more inconsistent than the mighty All Blacks, and they have no excuses. Certainly a better win/loss ratio.
Northland and Southland are the ultimate poor cousins in the NPC, and any thing like reaching the finals is punching above their weight.
And hopefully even better to come next year with a change in coach
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@J77 not too much to argue with there, as I have often wondered re Hawkins, if coaching will be in his future.
People in the know say he has a great ability to read the game, and I have to say his positioning is often very good, it's just his ability is lacking to maybe produce what his mind sees.
I think if he gets another run, he needs to stand it in club footy, because he is blocking the way of someone.
What will be interesting will be who takes on the head coach role next year.
Veale must be at short odds to do so, as I understand Dewes will have additional responsibility with Fiji...clearly dewes has some ability as a coach with our forwards doing some good stuff, but oh man several times when he spoke at halftime...
I have heard whispers of a fairly well rated NPC coach might be keen, but how true they are, we will see...
Be great if we can back this season up next year and build on it, with our HP centre now and attracting a few of these talented northlanders back might be that touch easier.
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@taniwharugby I think Hawkins would be a great coach. I could imagine him starting out helping our younger generation in a development role of sorts.
As for the current coaches, I’d like to see Veale remain either in the same role or even head coach, it should be noted he took New York to the MLR title, so he’s proven he can win championships albeit in that comp which I’d imagine is a wee way below NPC standard.. maybe Heartland?? I never really watched it so can’t make a decent comparison.
As I’ve said before I’d like to think we’ll attract some decent names when it comes time for the applications to open. Would really like to see a person that is not only a good coach, but also a good selector.. those two go hand in hand and we haven’t really seen that with Konia.
From what I’ve seen and heard I don’t think any of our club coaches are ready to step up, so I think there’s a high chance we are going to see someone from outside get this role. I personally don’t care where they’re from as long as they add that icing that we need to progress even further up the table.
We have a foundation there, and it’s a strong one.. it’s just about the fine tuning and getting the right blokes in the right spots now.
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Well done fellas loved all your thoughts..
The only thing I will add, I think we missed a trick this year not giving Kalani Going more game time still try to figure out how your club midfield back of the year did not get more game time ..
If you wanted direct , both Going and Tua would have packed a punch
Also I would have loved to have seen Tama Anderson given a crack at fullback when Moorby was out of action .
We sometimes don’t seem to have the confidence in youth ,but if the youth has a ability and game management we need to play themAll the best to those moving on especially Ross Wright and George Konia , Ross has been amazing servant of Northland Rugby and whilst I haven’t always agreed some of George’s selections I will take the opportunity to wish him and his whānau all the best .
Hopefully we can re sign a good percentage of the team and as previously stated there are a couple that will need to get their fitness up to speed .
Hopefully we can get few boys locked into Super Contacts -
@Steven-Harris has Ross confirmed his retirement?
Been a fan fave over the years, think he was a back in a props body!
By all accounts top bloke too, thanks Ross.
On Konia, agree also, haven't agreed with alot of what he has done, but I can't imagine coaching at that level is gonna keep everyone happy, by all accounts he is well liked by the players though, go well, enjoy heading home.
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@taniwharugby Ross has definitely retired , it was announced at the after match at the Turbos game in Kaikohe
Just hasn’t gone public he’s a good bugger , if he’d got fitter throughout his career he would have played more super rugby -
@Steven-Harris the only thing I can think of is that Kalani Going nicked Konias lunch or something. It’s been the biggest head scratcher for me as to how he didn’t get F-All game time. I sure hope Going is resilient and looks forward to next year as his opportunity to step up and claim that 12 shirt.
And big up’s to Ross Wright.. what a stalwart and decent bloke too. Enjoyed his contributions over the years, i even used to mistake him for Rene Ranger sometimes due to his barnstorming runs up field!
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@taniwharugby sums up how I feel too. Sort of pleased. The lift from last year was huge. The bits missing for me was the accuracy at lineout time after penalties and attack patterns - no more evident than in quarterfinal when we moved the ball wide to players being tackled behind the advantage line. But all in all mana has been restored. 7/10.
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Final wash up of MOTM polls, after the Canterbury game:
Tu'ungafasi 3, Matich 2, Rush 1, Tua 1Rush clear out in front as our player of the season, by the polls, good to see a number of other players around 4-7 points as well, meaning they put in multiple good performances.
Season end
Rush 16
Reihana 8
Moorby 7
Murray 7
Tua 7
Tu'ungafasi 7
Matich 7
Goodhue 5
Mau'u 4
McNamara 2
Milo-Harris 2
Macilai 2
Hallam-Eames 2
Nock 1
Te Whata Colley 1
