Northland v Taranaki
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Injured: Stokes, Tua, Levien, Jacobson, MacNamara, Hyland, Uluinakauvadra
All 5 would likely be in the match day 23 if fit.
Matich straight in to start at 8, Wiseguy drops out and Cooper onto bench, probably a bit tough on Wiseguy as he has done a good job so far, but Cooper needs time too...as I have said before, I would have preferred they went with Wideguy and stuck with him to allow him to grow, but they have pumped for Hawkins again, hopefully he repays the faith.
Mayanavaua seems to have passed Caird, probably his work rate and physicality is a little better than Caird.
Macilai on the bench is good to see, when I saw him a few weeks ago, he looks in much better shape than last year.
Rob Rush with a potential debut!
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Jayson Potroz, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Sean Wainui (c), Daniel Waite, Lewis Ormond, Stephen Perofeta, Lisati Milo-Harris, Kaylum Boshier, Lachlan Boshier (c), Tom Florence, Findlamor Hoeata, Josh Lord, Ben May, Bradley Slater, Reuben O’Neill
Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Jared Proffit, Donald Brighouse, Pita Gus Sowakula, Mitchell Crosswell, Kylem O’Donnell, Codey Rei, Lukas Halls
https://www.trfu.co.nz/newsarticle/95957?newsfeedId=694504
New Plymouth Old Boys utility back Daniel Waite has been named to start in the midfield for the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls against Northland after co-captain Teihorangi Walden was ruled out of the remainder of the Mitre 10 Cup. Walden was carried off the field during last Sunday’s Ranfurly Shield loss to Otago in Inglewood and later scans showed he had ruptured his achilles tendon. Impressive loose forward Lachlan Boshier and centre Sean Wainui take over the captaincy duties while regular skipper Mitchell Brown continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Waite, who has featured predominantly at first five-eighth for the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls in recent seasons, is one of several changes to the starting XV for Saturday’s match in Whangarei. Veteran prop Ben May returns to the front row with Reuben O’Neill switching from tighthead to loosehead while Findlamor Hoeata replaces Tupou Vaa’i who has returned to the All Blacks squad as they prepare to take on Australia. Loose forward Tom Florence will start at blindside flanker after making a number of strong performances off the bench while Stephen Perofeta moves from fullback into first five-eighth. That move sees Tukapa’s Jayson Potroz move to fullback while the remainder of the backline remains the same. On the bench, Lukas Halls and Codey Rei come into the squad while Chiefs No 8 Pita Gus Sowakula makes a welcome return from injury. Yarrows Taranaki Bulls coach Willie Rickards said there was obvious disappointment in the camp following Sunday’s loss to Otago but they were determined to bounce back quickly against a Northland side which has looked impressive in the early rounds of the Mitre 10 Cup. “We came back together on Monday and had a good discussion around what has happened and the fact we have to move forward and focus our attention on what lies ahead for us,” he said. “We are not going to let one loss define our season and our ultimate goals remain the same. We know Northland will be especially tough to face at home and the squad is looking forward to playing a really positive sort of game up there.” -
I like that 23. Only thing I would change is Macilai to 11 and Gregory to 12. I don't understand why coaches are reluctant to play him at 12, it's the ideal position for him. Happy with Hawkins keeping 10 Jersey. Haven't been a big fan but he went well last weekend and don't think the others have shown enough to oust him yet.
We need to start well, all 3 games we've been slow to get started. I don't think Taranaki will roll over and let us back in like Manawatu and C-M
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@Gunner said in Northland v Taranaki:
down a punnet of chips then roll down the bank with his mates for the rest of the game
am sure you did that as a kid, I did that as a kid, TR Jnr did that when he was younger, it's what you do!
Fortunately the core of our team is intact, assume Matich is still available, bloody handy guy to have waiting to get out there.
Long term, 12 is where I think Gregory will end up, but I think he needs to get his confidence back, from the wing, with a bit of roaming licence.
I know I keep banging on, but we need to be involving Hyland in our play more, as a runner or decoy, we simply dont use him enough.
@taniwharugby said in Northland v Taranaki:
@Gunner said in Northland v Taranaki:
down a punnet of chips then roll down the bank with his mates for the rest of the game
am sure you did that as a kid, I did that as a kid, TR Jnr did that when he was younger, it's what you do!
@Gunner 's son could be 35. It might not be entirely dignified but why not?
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@taniwharugby said in Northland v Taranaki:
@Gunner said in Northland v Taranaki:
down a punnet of chips then roll down the bank with his mates for the rest of the game
am sure you did that as a kid, I did that as a kid, TR Jnr did that when he was younger, it's what you do!
@Gunner 's son could be 35. It might not be entirely dignified but why not?
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This game would be more enjoyable if the players entered the rucks legally. Instead the ref is (rightfully)) blowing his whistle. Hopefully both teams address and respond.
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This game would be more enjoyable if the players entered the rucks legally. Instead the ref is (rightfully)) blowing his whistle. Hopefully both teams address and respond.
@antipodean I also hope Northland learn how to scrum and line out
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Ref incredibly quick at blowing some of the holding calls, but is doing both ways
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Ref incredibly quick at blowing some of the holding calls, but is doing both ways
@taniwharugby said in Northland v Taranaki:
Ref incredibly quick at blowing some of the holding calls, but is doing both ways
And that's all you can really ask for as a player. Well, that and not making clangers.
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@taniwharugby said in Northland v Taranaki:
@Snowy I know how old @Gunner is and no way is his kid 35 haha
More a reference to me doing it in my fifties. I'm game.
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Not one for handing out cards for the fun of it, but that one should've come earlier IMO.
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Some great D by the team. Not often we lose lead in second half and then come back. Good start to season.
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@kev said in Northland v Taranaki:
Good start to season.
Southland in Whangarei next week. Good chance of being 4 from 5
@Duluth shh almost as bad as the ground announcer 10 minutes to go saying people could go on the field to celebrate the win
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@Duluth shh almost as bad as the ground announcer 10 minutes to go saying people could go on the field to celebrate the win
@taniwharugby said in Northland v Taranaki:
@Duluth shh almost as bad as the ground announcer 10 minutes to go saying people could go on the field to celebrate the win
Nah easy victory. Whats par? 20 points?
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Bit of a scratchy 60 mins by both sides before Northland took it up a gear and closed it off.
But ill take that!
