North v South Match

[Invictus]

I'm really looking forward to said match - I know some members of the wider community disagree but to me any sort of game like this is great fun to watch.

It's been confirmed that players will represent their Super Rugby teams - so Robbie Robinson (from Southland) would turn our for the Norths, should he be selected etc.

[TRF_Darwin]

I'm quite looking forward to the match (as I'm going to it), but it will be interesting to see what the too teams look like. Great that it is an afternoon game too! All of the AB's are unavailable, and it sounds like quite a number of top Super Rugby players have also made themselves unavailable for this match (or their Super Rugby coaches have...), so it will be interesting to see what the teams look like. Apparently the teams will be named on Sunday after the AB's 30-man squad is confirmed.

[admartian]

Looking forward to this.

Though what happens if say a player is at a Northern SR team one year, then a Southern SR team the next?

[Jabby]

i want to know if haskell will be avaliable for us! does it have to be NZ players?

[William18]

i want to know if haskell will be avaliable for us! does it have to be NZ players?

I'm guessing he will be available as it is based on what franchise the players play for.

[Invictus]

Looking forward to this.

Though what happens if say a player is at a Northern SR team one year, then a Southern SR team the next?

So far there's no guarantee that there will be another match. Probably cross that bridge when they get to it :P

[TRF_nickdnz]

I'd love this to include All Blacks. Imagine...


1. Wyatt Crockett v Tony Woodcock
2. Andrew Hore v Kevin Mealamu
3. Owen Franks v Ben Tameifuna
4. Sam Whitelock v Ali Williams
5. Josh Bekhuis v Brodie Retallick
6. Adam Thomson v Liam Messam
7. Richie McCaw v Sam Cane
8. Kieran Read v Victor Vito
9. Aaron Smith v Tj Peranara
10. Daniel Carter v Aaron Cruden
11. Hosea Gear v Julian Savea
12. Ryan Crotty v Sonny Bill Williams/Ma'a Nonu
13. Robbie Fruean/Tamati Ellison v Conrad Smith
14. Sean Maitland v Cory Jane
15. Israel Dagg v Andre Taylor

16. Cory Flynn v Hika Elliot
17. Ben Franks v Charlie Faumuina
18. Luke Romano v Jason Eaton
19. Matt Todd v Luke Braid
20. Andy Ellis v Piri Weepu
21. Mike Delany v Beuden Barrett
22. Ben Smith v Lelia Masaga

I think that would be an amazing spectacle. Would be great for picking players as well.

[Sam Owen]

I hope its as brutal as State of Origin. It'll be good to see that Mike Motu'u from The 'Canes (I think thats his name) he'll be sure to liven things up.

[TRF_nickdnz]

I hope its as brutal as State of Origin. It'll be good to see that Mike Motu'u from The 'Canes (I think thats his name) he'll be sure to liven things up.

Motu Matu'u? Yeah, he's an amazing hitter. Been really impressing me this season. Certainly is a different prospect than Coles.

[Invictus]

Squads announced:

NORTH ISLAND

Forwards:
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Hurricanes), Toby Smith (Chiefs), Josh Hohneck (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes), Tom McCartney (Blues), James Broadhurst (Hurricanes), Michael Fitzgerald (Chiefs), Filo Paulo (Blues), Faifili Levave (Hurricanes), Brad Shields (Hurricanes), Scott Waldrom (Chiefs), Luke Braid (Blues),

Backs:
Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), Alby Mathewson (Blues), Andrew Horrell (Chiefs), Hadleigh Parkes (Blues), Richard Buckman (Hurricanes), Charles Piutau (New Zealand Sevens), David Raikuna (Blues), Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), Lachie Munro (Blues), Robbie Robinson (Chiefs).

SOUTH ISLAND

Forwards:
Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders), Chris King (Highlanders), Ma'afu Fia (Highlanders), Jason Rutledge (Highlanders), Quentin MacDonald (Crusaders), Jarrad Hoeata (Highlanders), Tom Donnelly (Crusaders), Culum Retallick (Highlanders), Tim Boys (Highlanders), Scott Fuglistaller (Highlanders), Matt Todd (Crusaders), Luke Whitelock (Crusaders).

Backs:
Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), Willi Heinz (Crusaders), Tom Marshall (Crusaders), Glenn Dickson (Highlanders), Kendrick Lynn (Highlanders), Adam Whitelock (Crusaders), Kade Poki (Highlanders), Buxton Poppali'i (Highlanders), Patrick Osbourne (Crusaders), Kurt Baker (Highlanders).

A few good players in there, but mostly just back up guys.

[TRF_Darwin]

Some interesting sides - hopefully we get a good expansive game of rugby. If I was to pick my preferred lineups out of those squads I'd go with the following:

MacIntosh	1.	Smith
MacDonald	2.	Coles
Fia	3.	Toomaga-Allen
Hoeata	4.	Paulo
Donnelly	5.	Broadhurst
Boys	6.	Levave
Todd	7.	Braid
L Whitelock	8.	Shields
Cowan	9.	Leonard
T Marshall	10.	Horrell
Popoali'i	11.	Raikuna
A Whitelock	12.	Buckman
Lynn	13.	Parkes
Poki	14.	Masaga
Baker	15.	Robinson
Rutledge	16.	McCartney
King	17.	Hohneck
Retallick	18.	Fitzgerald
Fuglistaller	19.	Waldrom
Heinz	20.	Mathewson
Dickson	21.	Munro
Osbourne	22.	Piutau

Overall I think the North team looks probably the stronger side. The big weakness in the South side is at 10 - their two options at 10 are Dickson (who is a journeyman ITM Cup player, who is better suited to 12), and Tom Marshall who has very limited experience at first-five, but has some real talent. Despite Marshalls lack of experience at 10 I would start him, and use the likes of Popoalii to pop up at first receiver on occasions when required (as he does for Otago). The Norths team biggest weakness looks to be in the midfield, and we may see Horrell start at 12, with Munro starting at 10. There could potentially be some great matchups: Shields vs Whitelock, Braid vs Todd, Smith vs Fia, Leonard vs Cowan.....

[Jabby]

Rutledge is captain so will prob start

[TRF_Draggs]

Will this be televised?

[Invictus]

It is in NZ...

[Larksea]

from my "other" thread, this site has too many different boards.

Squads:

North Island
Forwards: Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Hurricanes); Toby Smith (Chiefs); Josh Hohneck (Chiefs); Dane Coles (Hurricanes); Tom McCartney (Blues); James Broadhurst (Hurricanes); Michael Fitzgerald (Chiefs); Filo Paulo (Blues); Faifili Levave (Hurricanes); Brad Shields (Hurricanes); Scott Waldrom (Chiefs); Luke Braid (Blues).

Backs: Brendon Leonard (Chiefs); Alby Mathewson (Blues); Andrew Horrell (Chiefs); Hadleigh Parkes (Blues); Richard Buckman (Hurricanes); Charles Piutau (New Zealand Sevens); David Raikuna (Blues); Lelia Masaga (Chiefs); Lachie Munro (Blues); Robbie Robinson (Chiefs).


South Island
Forwards: Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders); Chris King (Highlanders); Ma'afu Fia (Highlanders); Jason Rutledge (Highlanders); Quentin MacDonald (Crusaders); Jarrad Hoeata (Highlanders); Tom Donnelly (Crusaders); Culum Retallick (Highlanders); Tim Boys (Highlanders); Scott Fuglistaller (Highlanders); Matt Todd (Crusaders); Luke Whitelock (Crusaders).

Backs: Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders); Willi Heinz (Crusaders); Tom Marshall (Crusaders); Glenn Dickson (Highlanders); Kendrick Lynn (Highlanders); Adam Whitelock (Crusaders); Kade Poki (Highlanders); Buxton Popoalii (Highlanders); Patrick Osbourne (Crusaders); Kurt Baker (Highlanders).


----
unfortunately even excluding All Blacks it's clearly not the Best players from super rugby with a lot of fringe All Blacks not playing I think mostly because they need the rest more than they need a game. To add to that neither team has a genuine first five? Closest would be Horrell for the North and Marshall for the south?

just looking through the sides I'd say the south have an edge, they seem to have selected a lot closer to what their strongest team would be excluding current All Blacks. With the north Team missing names Like Chiefs Fringe All Blacks: Clarke, Messam, Latimer, Afeaki, Elliot and Also missing blues big names like Ranger and Wulf and missing a genuine #8

South are missing players as well but with Jamie, King, Ruttledge, Hoeata, Donnelly, matt Todd and Luke Whitelock they do at I think have close to their strongest pack.

Will still be an interesting game.

[TRF_Draggs]

It is in NZ...

OK, hope there will be highlights online then.

[TRF_Darwin]

A few changes to the North team, with 4 players (Mathewson, Horrell, Fitzgerald, Piutau) pulling out with injury, being replaced by Frae Wilson, James Marshall, Fritz Lee, and Sherwin Stowers.

[smartcooky]

I am a bit disappointed that its not a true "Island of Origin" clash, that is, you play for the Island in which the Senior Rugby club you first played for is located.

[Jabby]

i agree but can see what they have done, too many guys in the saders and highlanders have come south rather than from the south so the north could prob field a shadow all black team but the south would include several NPC journey men

unless someone has works out squads based on island or origin?

if everyone was avaliable (ab's and all) then it would be much more even with guys like Carter, mccaw, ben smith, cowen and thompson

[Larksea]

I am a bit disappointed that its not a true "Island of Origin" clash, that is, you play for the Island in which the Senior Rugby club you first played for is located.

yeah it's a shame they wont run out in their club socks and plug the grass roots teams. That would get more people in to the contest I think. Knowing that players are running out representing the Grass Roots.

Like does anyone actually thing Robbie Robinson represents the north island???

[Invictus]

http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/chiefs-...n-rotorua.html

This is what disappoints me. Obviously the players aren't worried about getting injured in non-competition games, so why the heck not can't they play in the North v South match? Very frustrating.

[TRF_Darwin]

Starting XV's confirmed:

North Island: Robbie Robinson (Chiefs), Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), Richard Buckman (Hurricanes), Hadleigh Parkes (Blues), David Raikuna (Blues), Lachie Munro (Blues), Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), Brad Shields (Hurricanes), Luke Braid (Blues) (captain), Faifili Levave (Hurricanes), Filo Paulo (Blues), James Broadhurst (Hurricanes), Toby Smith (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes), Josh Hohneck (Chiefs).
Reserves: Tom McCartney (Blues), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Hurricanes), Fritz Lee (Chiefs), Scott Waldrom (Chiefs), Frae Wilson (Hurricanes), James Marshall (Hurricanes), Sherwin Stowers (Blues).

South Island: Kurt Baker (Highlanders), Buxton Popoali'i (Highlanders) Kendrick Lynn (Highlanders), Adam Whitelock (Crusaders), Kade Poki (Highlanders), Tom Marshall (Crusaders), Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), Luke Whitelock (Crusaders), Matt Todd (Crusaders), Scott Fuglistaller (Highlanders), Tom Donnelly (Crusaders), Jarrad Hoeata (Highlanders), Chris King (Highlanders), Jason Rutledge (Highlanders) (captain), Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders).
Reserves: Ma'afu Fia (Highlanders), Quentin MacDonald (Crusaders), Culum Retallick (Highlanders), Tim Boys (Highlanders), Willi Heinz (Crusaders), Glenn Dickson (Highlanders), Patrick Osborne (Crusaders).

Not too far away from the XV's I predicted. The South team should certainly have an edge up front, as they have more experience, and have played a lot together (4 currently Highlanders + Donnelly who was Highlander last year). The North have the edge in the loosies, though I'm really looking forwards to the battle between Luke Braid and Matt Todd (the 2nd and 3rd best 7's in the country in my opinion). Cowan v Leoanrd is a good match-up, and I'm interested to see how Munro and Marshall go at 10 - I really think Munro should go back to concentrating on playing 10 if he wants to further his career. The south have a much better midfield, and I'm really looking forward to the seeing the wings getting some space, as all four are electric with room to move.

[Larksea]

was a really good game, as I thought South had the stronger forward pack and that really setup the result, having so many highlanders involved gave them some real cohesion, maybe having players come from two teams rather than Three is an advantage? compared to the North pack which was a real mish-mash and had players who were kinda 3rd/4th tier rather than 2nd tier.

South's best players I thought were

Jason Rutledge - obviously took this game very seriously, like it was the highest rep Honor he was going to get because he never made the AB's
Matt Todd
Tom Donnelly
Tom Marshall
Kurt Baker

Whitelock and Lynn were pretty good too.

For the north

Brendon Leonard - must be pretty fit because unlike the south halfs who did 20min dashes he played through ~65min and I think looked better than any of the other 9's and did not really look warn out when he came off (where Cowan looked totally stuffed) really good passing and some very good tackles.
Luke Braid
Brad Shields
Richard Buckman
Robbie Robinson

Lachie Munro I thought was another weak link for the North, so often he would get a brilliant pass from Leonard then his pass to the next player would go to ground or behind the player and kill any momentum.

Good game, I think those who watched it would see just who seriously the players take it and I think there would be more interest in it next year so I hope they do carry on with it. Huge amount of running rugby for an 80min game.

[Jabby]

I honestly believe Rutledge is bloody unlucky to not have even been called into an ab's training squad (unless I’m wrong?)

he has done very little wrong over the last few season and a hell of a lot right, he would have really stepped up on the international stage as he's an old school kind of guy where it would have been a real honor rather than just achieving a goal his manager set a few weeks ago over a glass of Pinot Noir and a prawn sandwich...I’m looking at you SBW

[Larksea]

great player, one of the best to never make the AB's but he was kinda a late bloomer, and he's not going to make his test debut now, heck he's like a year and a half older than Mealamu. If anything he could have been selected for the world cup or 2010-2011, I doubt he would have let the AB's down and if anything he'd be better than Flynn. I guess size is an issue as well, being around 5ft 9in & ~100kg? is fairly small. you think ahh well it shouldn't really be but if he was 5ft 11 and ~110kg you would have to say he would have been an AB for sure, as well you could say if AB's were picked on form alone he would have been in for sure - but it's not. Age, size and previous test experience is a factor.

[Larksea]

on a side note:

Four players have been cited for their involvement in a fight in the North vs South match in Dunedin.

Several players became involved in the fracas just before halftime in the match, won 32-24 by South.
North halfback Brendon Leonard and hooker Dane Coles have been cited for an alleged dangerous tackle on South captain Jason Rutledge.
A fight broke out afterwards from which South centre Kendrick Lynn and North lock Filo Paulo have been cited for punching.
The players will have their cases heard this week.

nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/13917685/four-cited-for-north-v-south-fight/

tackle was dangerous I think, there was niggle between Leonard and Rutledge earlier on after Jason Put Brendon i a headlock, are around the neck and took him out at a ruck and things heated up. So Leonard did put a big hit on him and lifted him a little then coles game in and made it a bit more dangerous. That said he landed parallel to the ground and he was not really in any threat. What came after that was pretty bad though, some south players jumped in, I think Kenny Lynn threw some punches at Dane Coles. Then Donnelly came in and tackled Coles then the worst happened.

Filo Paulo came in and gave Donnelly a very solid punch to the face while he was on the ground. Genuine act of thuggery, left Donnelly pretty bloodied.

[Sneaki]

on a side note:

Four players have been cited for their involvement in a fight in the North vs South match in Dunedin.

Several players became involved in the fracas just before halftime in the match, won 32-24 by South.
North halfback Brendon Leonard and hooker Dane Coles have been cited for an alleged dangerous tackle on South captain Jason Rutledge.
A fight broke out afterwards from which South centre Kendrick Lynn and North lock Filo Paulo have been cited for punching.
The players will have their cases heard this week.

nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/13917685/four-cited-for-north-v-south-fight/

tackle was dangerous I think, there was niggle between Leonard and Rutledge earlier on after Jason Put Brendon i a headlock, are around the neck and took him out at a ruck and things heated up. So Leonard did put a big hit on him and lifted him a little then coles game in and made it a bit more dangerous. That said he landed parallel to the ground and he was not really in any threat. What came after that was pretty bad though, some south players jumped in, I think Kenny Lynn threw some punches at Dane Coles. Then Donnelly came in and tackled Coles then the worst happened.

Filo Paulo came in and gave Donnelly a very solid punch to the face while he was on the ground. Genuine act of thuggery, left Donnelly pretty bloodied.

Yeah that was very ugly from Paulo, and right in front of the camera too. The Blues could easily lose him for the last three weeks of the season.

Also I've noticed Coles always seems to be on the edge of belting someone, maybe he needs to sort out his aggression if he wants to compete for the AB's third hooker spot. A bit of aggression would be alright but it makes him more of a liability if taken too far.

[Larksea]

yeah, controlled aggression is really important and you would have to say with Coles a lot of the time it's not controlled, seemed to me that he in a way started the whole thing.

Players who are quick to react and lose their cool are a liability, more so at test level where punches like that could end up as red cards. I think you simply can't select Coles for test footy the way he is.

Paulo's act was plain thuggery, very much like what Fitzgerald did recently with the chiefs. As I said then it reminds me of Club Rugby with Gang members playing.

[donmcdazzle]

^^ Coles is a loose cannon alright, always seems to be involved in off the ball rubbish. Cut from the same cloth as Dion Waller and Inoki Afeaki if anyone can remember those guys. He is too small for the AB's anyway (same point as you made for Rutledge) so you couldn't pick him for test rugby regardless, but it probably isn't exactly endearing him to the higher ups.

[TRF_nickdnz]

^^ Coles is a loose cannon alright, always seems to be involved in off the ball rubbish. Cut from the same cloth as Dion Waller and Inoki Afeaki if anyone can remember those guys. He is too small for the AB's anyway (same point as you made for Rutledge) so you couldn't pick him for test rugby regardless, but it probably isn't exactly endearing him to the higher ups.

Afeaki wasn't that bad...