Auckland Nines 2015
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steaming stormer
- Tropical Cyclone
- Posts: 4045
- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2003 5:34 pm
- Location: Altona Meadows
Did Hampton play?
Seriously... if he's our starting 6 again this season, we are in trouble
Seriously... if he's our starting 6 again this season, we are in trouble
Went to the 9s (last minute trip 
) & watched every game. Our young guys did really well even if it doesn't show how well on television. Their first game you can put down to inexperience & nerves, handling errors by a few and lack of knowledge around positional playing for 9s - still they started to find their stride, just a little too late in the game. Kicks didn't go over because of nerves and the restricted time allowance for taking them - taking into account it was the cowboys and there was only 1 try in it that's not bad.
The second game the nerves were gone, the positional play fixed and the result came. The Panthers were competitive enough in their last game to suggest it was our boys playing well and beating them in what turned out to be the 3rd winning margin of the day. It certainly looked that way anyway.
They went down to the eventual winners who outplayed everyone with a game plan that shut down opposition play based around Reynold's kicking (which was superb) and bully-boy tactics up the middle (jeez Gurgess is full-on arrogant) but even though the score didn't show it they defended their hearts out. Ben might not have great kicking but he's scared of no-one & tackled like there was no tomorrow. Kenny played well too, some really good runs and defence. As they all did. The experience of the bunnies had Tohu making 3, 4, tackles against the big boppers & having Isaac Luke come in on the 5th and skip inside him or the next player.
We needed another experienced hardworking forward alongside Tohu and it might have been enough. We certainly had the speed on the outside - just needed to get it there. Munster & Mann were well'covered and didn't get that much of an opportunity and it would've been good for them to pass it out instead of trying to go themselves at times. Welch and co all stepped up however & the teams scramble defence was great, the speed of the backs meant quite a few run down potential tries & so on.
The feedback we got afterwards confirmed the above but also they're pleased with how the majority went considering, they'll be better for the experience, & a year on for some will make all the difference. Lots of positives...don't let the scorelines fool you
) & watched every game. Our young guys did really well even if it doesn't show how well on television. Their first game you can put down to inexperience & nerves, handling errors by a few and lack of knowledge around positional playing for 9s - still they started to find their stride, just a little too late in the game. Kicks didn't go over because of nerves and the restricted time allowance for taking them - taking into account it was the cowboys and there was only 1 try in it that's not bad.The second game the nerves were gone, the positional play fixed and the result came. The Panthers were competitive enough in their last game to suggest it was our boys playing well and beating them in what turned out to be the 3rd winning margin of the day. It certainly looked that way anyway.
They went down to the eventual winners who outplayed everyone with a game plan that shut down opposition play based around Reynold's kicking (which was superb) and bully-boy tactics up the middle (jeez Gurgess is full-on arrogant) but even though the score didn't show it they defended their hearts out. Ben might not have great kicking but he's scared of no-one & tackled like there was no tomorrow. Kenny played well too, some really good runs and defence. As they all did. The experience of the bunnies had Tohu making 3, 4, tackles against the big boppers & having Isaac Luke come in on the 5th and skip inside him or the next player.
We needed another experienced hardworking forward alongside Tohu and it might have been enough. We certainly had the speed on the outside - just needed to get it there. Munster & Mann were well'covered and didn't get that much of an opportunity and it would've been good for them to pass it out instead of trying to go themselves at times. Welch and co all stepped up however & the teams scramble defence was great, the speed of the backs meant quite a few run down potential tries & so on.
The feedback we got afterwards confirmed the above but also they're pleased with how the majority went considering, they'll be better for the experience, & a year on for some will make all the difference. Lots of positives...don't let the scorelines fool you
