The Silver Fern

@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.

Lack of execution in the first half really came back to bite. Maybe if we had gone in up at halftime like we should have been, the pressure might have told on Canterbury.

Agree about swapping midfielders. Goodhue has always been better at centre but think injuries and how much he has bulked up probably means he's more of a 12 now. Can potentially play as a second playmaker too. Probably good to have him defending closer in too.

Personally I think that injury to Craig may make it hard for him to make it back into the team. I thought we looked better with Hallam Eames extra size and physicality. Sweetman to come in plays similar to LHE so can see Craig dropping down the pecking order for me.

Reihana will come good but certainly didn't hit the level last night that he was playing at last year. Will also be good to get Moorby back and push Murray back to the wing.

U18 Final today (that I thought started at 2pm, not 12 🤦 )

Kerikeri halted Mid Northerns club dominance by taking the match 39-32.

Looking at the score sheet, KK opened the scoring and were up 13-3 early, only for MN to get up 27-13 inside half hour.

Then KK hit straight back with 5 unanswered tries in a 20 min period of play that saw them out to thier final score, while MN scored in the final 10 but were unable to score again.

Kerikeri - 39
Tries: Rudolph Louw, Kai Aihara (3) James Alipate, Joshua-James Young
Te Aowera Para, 3 cons, 1 pen
Mid Northern - 32
Tries: Tyrese Tolley-Lopeti, Cody Doidge (2) Fiti Leau
Jacob Lowther, 3 cons, 2 pens

team sheets

https://www.northlandrugby.co.nz/matchcentre/3887217

Northland futures team is scheduled in for 2 x games on

Saturday 8th February 1pm at Waitemata Park
Saturday 15th February 1pm at Pohe Island in Whangarei

Ross Wright joins Wellsford coaching team

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/taniwha-centurion-ross-wright-hangs-up-boot-and-takes-up-coaching/QBLDS7GVHVEUBBQJLE7YFWE7AI/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1674187886

@taniwharugby said in Northland 2023:

A final tally from the MOTM polls

Final game v Auckland had Rob Rush taking 3, Olsen 2 and then 3 got 1 point.

Season Total

Rob Rush 11 Mau'u 8 Murray 8 Moorby 6 Adams 6 Caird 5 Hallam-Eames 5 Milo-Harris 5 Matich 4 Reihana 4 Nock 3 Moulds 3 Goodhue 2 BKP 2 Olsen 2 Ranger 1 Trainor 1

It's in the blood!

after the Manawatu game:
Reihana 3, Macilai 2, Rush 1, Matich 1

Rush wins our MVP for the season quite easily, with the Canterbury games scores not even in

Season total
Rush 15
Reihana 8
Moorby 7
Murray 7
Tua 6
Goodhue 5
Matich 5
Tu'ungafasi 4
Mau'u 4
McNamara 2
Milo-Harris 2
Macilai 2
Hallam-Eames 2
Nock 1
Te Whata Colley 1

@ACT-Crusader said in QF - Canterbury vs Northland:

@Canes4life said in QF - Canterbury vs Northland:

So close Northland. Canterbury are definitely beatable.

I think what this season has highlighted are that there are certain teams that play a way that trouble others.

I don’t think there is too much between the 8 teams that made the playoffs.

Yeah it feels like any of the top 8 can knock one another off on their day, it's about timing your run to the finals and making sure your players aren't gassed when they get there.

@kev for me, it's been Macilai's defence that has stood out this year, easily his best season defence-wise and still offers an attacking threat.

@kev Rivez Reihana has extended his stay at the Chiefs, just not sure if it’s one or 2 years but will be definitely with the Chiefs in 2023

@bayimports said in The Bay v Northland:

To think though the Bay just needed to hold firm in that one scrum and couldn't do it.

Some of the funniest reactions though to getting that scrum penalty at the end from Northland lol

Wasn't he giving it the "Doggies" one?
😂

Ta$man MOTM vs Northland

Levi Aumua - Votes 1,000! 🙂

MOTM poll v Ta$man...I know it was a bit average, but at least vote, are certainly a few players deserving!

https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/topic/5597/northland-motm-v-tasman

After Canterbury: Rush 3, Hallam-Eames 2, Reihana 2

Season
Rush 8
Moorby 6
Tua 5
Murray 4
Reihana 4
McNamara 2
Milo-Harris 2
Mau'u 2
Goodhue 2
Tu'ungafasi 2
Hallam-Eames 2
Nock 1
Te Whata Colley 1

@kev I honestly think both CTC and O'Donnell would be so much better if they were properly fit...I'd love for CTC to get really fit, he'd be a real weapon as a prop, love his work, but as it is I think his fitness causes lapses where he looks bloody strong at scrumtime, then gets demolished the next.

Got so excited about the game I forgot who played well - chose Murray for that sensational break, Reihana for the clutch kick and a good alround game, and the vision of Macilai steaming on to the ball on the break turning back the years was enough for 3rd. I think the loose forwards played well also. Couldn’t choose who.

Very entertaining game despite the incompetent refereeing. Trainor was the best Aukland player in a team which forgot to get out of its bus during the first 20 minutes, as the Frenchies say. I was impressed by Reihana. He's had his best NPC game ever. Murray is one to watch. He's only 19 and could develop into a very physical wing. He showed an impressive pace for his try. Great game from the Taniwha locks and loose forwards. They were into everything. As a neutral, I think the Taniwhas deserved the victory for the guts and passion they showed. A number of Auckland players looked desinterested at times.