Northland v Taranaki
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@J77 not to mention Leslie inherited the whole squad, and is taking advice on players to call in from the same guys that keep bringing the likes of Hohaia into the fold.
So yeah, I'll cut him plenty of slack.
Last year it was good to make the 1/4 final, but it seems so many seemed to see this as a major achievment or even exceeding expectations, but we need to be aiming higher, this year 1/4 should have been a bare minimum for goal setting, with the semi as the main goal (ie improving on previous seasons)
On paper, I'd have thought the 1/4 was achievable, when I saw the Cantab team named last week, I thought they were def beatable, but 4 days later we sit here with the possibility of yet another winless season very high.
It would seem to me there are people in roles in the union that have been there for a very long with little or no accountability for results or lack of development.
Sure the HP programme we have seems to be getting things on track, but it only works if you utilise the players at your disposal, too often it seems we make selections or decision to try to simply avoid coming last, that we forget we need to aim higher, and then we often end up doing what we think we are avoiding by taking the middle lane.
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@taniwharugby said in Northland v Taranaki:
Sure the HP programme we have seems to be getting things on track, but it only works if you utilise the players at your disposal, too often it seems we make selections or decision to try to simply avoid coming last, that we forget we need to aim higher, and then we often end up doing what we think we are avoiding by taking the middle lane
What's the quality of the backs in club rugby? Do the current squad members stand out against the club players?
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@Duluth there are quite a few players I'd have looked at seriously at: Ryan Nankivell (10) Mitchell Reader (12) Nathan Salmon (13,14,15) Kiwi Duncan (11) Aseri Vatuinaruku (wing/FB) Tevita Nabura (played for the Highlanders, and now playing for East Coast, is an outside back) Sam Parkes (9, also signed with East Coast) Donald Boyd (9) Shaye Te Haara (10) Nikau Graham (10) Jade Stewart (10)
Even Scutt, I know he has been on thier radar, but I believe they were looking at his MN counterpart Jade Stewart closer, and as a 10 (as they were swapping most of the season) but he picked up an injury in the final, so probably put paid to any chance for him)
A couple in that list (Duncan and Salmon) are very young and had thier 1st season of Prem rugby, but they look up to it and both seem to have a bit of x-factor about them, sure they will make errors, Salmon in particular from what I've seeon of him since he was 6 or 7 years old is a player of immense talent, but was often by far the best in his teams so often tried to do too much, even did this year, but he also scored some superb tries
Part of the problem is, I think prior to club rugby, only 2 or 3 spots were left to be signed
I think there is the talent there and some of the above are in the HP system, or some that arent but would certainly benefit from it...
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@Duluth there’s actually some really good backs ,around but unfortunately many of the better ones don’t commit to HP programs which makes life a tad difficult, the 2 best young backs are Nathan Salmon (centre/wing) and Kiwi Duncan (wing) , both around 18 and 19 but union is very conservative, too conservative in my opinion especially when you look at other unions who push younger players
Fijian Aseri Vaituinaruku from Sharks is a fullback/Wing who is an excitement machine , can make things happen out of nothing , has pace and his footwork is out the gate , was reputed to have visa issue , but according to the Sharks coach he is now a NZ resident there might be issues in and around HP attendance but you can’t coach that sort of talent .
Both Mose Dawai and Malimali played for that particular club a few years back and were both missed
I know things are not all they seem to be especially in and around HP and attendance tick boxes , but if you have talent on that scale you have to get close to these players find out what makes them tick .
@taniwharugby has watched a bit of club rugby and seen some players that have either looked better than current Northland squad members or even outplayed them on the dayWe have some talented first fives in the union , many of them would walk into Auckland club starting teams
Nikau Graham (Kamo) just needs conditioning
Jade Stewart (Mid Northern ) was in the Canterbury system , ex St Kentigern
Shaye Te Haara ( Wellsford) is a very underrated player , good runner as well
Ryan Nankerville (UK Moerewa) former Blues U20 …classy first five
Johnny Cooper still around playing the Bay of Islands , unfortunately horribly out of condition , just playing for fun these days
All got potential , -
We got burnt with a few
The Saimoni Uluinakauvadra signing concerns me , had’nt played for a couple of seasons , and then pulls out before last nights gamePart of the problem is, I think prior to club rugby, only 2 or 3 spots were left to be signed
I think there is the talent there and some of the above are in the HP system, or some that arent but would certainly benefit from it...
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I'm still confident for the Southland game. The scoreline flattered Taranaki a bit - at least 2 of their tries should have been disallowed (knock on and not releasing) however they should have got a PT.
Whilst the backs probably don't look as cohesive a few minor changes like Reihana back to 10 and Moorby to 15 should help with that. I don't think a rookie at 15 (had a solid first game) and Hawkins switching between 10 and 15 helped.
As others mentioned, we don't look as fit as last season and seem way down on energy levels of last year but definitely trying to stay in the fight. Line up for this weekend will be interesting - I'm confident
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@Chiefy07 i think we were gassed having made so many tackles , be intersting to see what the side looks like given the injuries
I do wonder if one of the locks will start off the bench given the workload
Thought Sweetman did well when he came on.
Hopefully Rebolo has recovered from his calf injury -
@Steven-Harris and moorby, at least he will be a threat with ball in hand which will create space for his wings.
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@Duluth first half we had zero line speed, zero energy, even our usually good defenders missed tackles, and then when we did get into a bit more of a pattern, defending our line first at a maul then making tackle after tackle would have sapped them hugely, which we did a few times IIRC.
Mauling and defending for long passages is hugely taxing, more so if you have a few of players with fitness not where it should be.
