Auckland v Northland

[African Monkey]

<p>Good to see Dan Hawkins back. Him possibly going head to head against the outstanding Simon Hickey shapes up to be one of the matchups of the round and worth the price of admission alone.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also relieved to see that Kara Pryor isn't there.</p>

[taniwharugby]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="608671" data-time="1472026941">
<div>
<p><strong>Good to see Dan Hawkins back. </strong>Him possibly going head to head against the outstanding Simon Hickey shapes up to be one of the matchups of the round and worth the price of admission alone.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also relieved to see that Kara Pryor isn't there.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Fluffybunny! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>2nd part made me laugh though! </p>

[Higgins]

<p>TR et el in dreamland as Northland take three nil lead very early on</p>

[Higgins]

<p>Alas too good to last as Simon Hickey replies directly from the kick off with a penalty into the quite strong wind.</p>

[taniwharugby]

<p>FFS go long in shitty conditions like that, twice!! </p>

[taniwharugby]

<p>haha and we go short and still lose</p>

[ACT Crusader]

<p>Collier was offside. Only by a metre or so, but it was clear that he was standing in front of the half way line and Hickey kicked behind the halfway line</p>

[taniwharugby]

<p>I guess our scrum has improved since last year....</p>

[Gunner]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="609170" data-time="1472198541"><p>
I guess our scrum has improved since last year....</p></blockquote>Pity our handling hasn't.

[taniwharugby]

<p>that wasnt off side! </p>

[ACT Crusader]

<p>Taniwha lost two loosies to injury. </p>

[Gunner]

Ref is a fluffybunny but the way we're playing it won't make too much difference.<br><br>
Another mistake.

[Chiefy]

<p>Our scrum has looked dominant and I think we've been a bit unlucky with some of the decisions against us at scrum time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Handling is letting us down big time. Auckland are playing to the conditions so much better</p>

[Chiefy]

<p>Jack Ram must be pound for pound one of the strongest ball carriers going around.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We need more of that pick and go rugby! Clearly working for us. No more lineouts - lets just keep dominating the scrum!</p>

[Gunner]

Why did it take them 36 minutes to work out that flash harry passes in the howling wind doesn't work..<br><br>
Keep it tight fullas, and we've got a chance.

[taniwharugby]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="609196" data-time="1472200108">
<div>
<p>Why did it take them 36 minutes to work out that flash harry passes in the howling wind doesn't work..<br><br>
Keep it tight fullas, and we've got a chance.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>thats if we have a forward pack in another 20 mins at this rate! </p>

[African Monkey]

<p>Northland a chance if they keep it close. Wasn't too impressed with us kicking so much. Forwards going ok so far apart from Isi Tu'ungafasi getting smashed at scrum time as expected.</p>

[Higgins]

<p>Isi Tuâ€ungafasi finally replaced after failing miserably in this examination conducted by<span style="font-size:14px;"> <span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Namatahi Waa who has improved out of sight since becoming a full time professional. </span></span></p>

[Gunner]

Why take the bloody lineout, we've struggled to win them all game.<br><br>
We're obsessed with taking dumb options.

[Gunner]

One thing that really pisses me off with the new ruck laws is the defending team stepping over the tackled player well before he's even had a chance to play the ball.