22 replies to this topic

[justin77]

FROM THE NORTHLAND AGE 30/08/2007

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Matt talks - 30 August 2007
By Matt Radich


The Northland rugby coach and captain are bleating in their loss to Southland last Friday night. Both Mark Anscombe and Justin Collins believe the defeat was due basically to the incompetence of the referee. "He treated me like I wasn't even there," said Collins. "We got the kind of decisions that the Auckland Warriors have been getting except we're not expecting any apologies from the referees' bosses," remarked Anscombe. Really, these excuses are feeble. The fact is Southland led by their ever aggressive halfback Jimmy Cowan were just too good.
Even though Northland led 13-6 at half time, the signs were there where the tempo of the game was too much for them. To say we were too flat and that some of the calls went against them because Southland are not a highly rated union does not measure up. Just look at new province Hawkes Bay. No stars yet they are sitting third in the standings simply because these players are committed. Anscombe must remember that all five matches Northland have played have been close. Sure the Kauris have improved with two wins but the momentum to keep up with the big guys is still far away.
What abut the emotional comment by Captain Collins "that he left Auckland and the Blues because Northland is what I live and bleed for." The guy has a very short memory. A number of years ago it was Collins that left a despairing Northland for better pastures in Auckland. There was no loyalty in his thinking then!

Who the hell does this guy think he is??? What a DICK!!! Now I have read a few articles from this Kaitaia based guy and he never really has anything good to say about Northland rugby. I understand from a few sources that he is one of these supporters for a breakaway "Far North" team. Get a grip buddy, it aint gonna happen!

Fancy talking about Gus's loyalty when this egg seems to have none himself!

I am proud Far North boy myself and as you all know I'm a staunch Northland supporter. This guy seems to think the NRU are forgetting about Mangonui etc..what a load of shit, there are endless streams of talent coming out of there (Tim Dow, Bronson Murray etc..) and so what if they all end up in Whangarei! It's still Northland aint it. He was bleating on the other day about how there was only a few homegrown players in the Northland set-up now..well Matty that's professional rugby, and as far as I'm concerned these guys are wearing our famous Cambridge Blue jersey with pride, so who gives a shit where they are from! I think the whole of Northland should embrace our team and get in behind them because we have the making a pretty good team on the horizon.

And Matt I think Gus and Anscombes excuse that the ref was shit were pretty spot on mate, it wasn't only Northland suffering, Southland had a few calls going against them too! Southland were not a better team, both sides are very even and Southland just had better opportunities in the 2nd spell...have a look past your own nose pal! :tickedoff:

[The Jackal]

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He was bleating on the other day about how there was only a few homegrown players in the Northland set-up now..

I wonder if he also complained when Caucau was still with Northland??

[justin77]

The Jackal said:

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He was bleating on the other day about how there was only a few homegrown players in the Northland set-up now..

I wonder if he also complained when Caucau was still with Northland??

I should imagine he would of found a number of things wrong with Caucau when he was at his best too!!

[taniwharugby]

The Northland Age? Do they have a letter to the editor section?

What a tool, while I hate losing players to other provinces, you cannot criticise a player for it (Rico exempt from criticism after his Tasman debacle)

People move around in all professions looking to better thier careers, I know plenty of people that have left thier hometown, gone away, had a career and return better off, I did it myself!!

People have this misguided perception that rugby players have always been a loyal bunch, go back 50 odd years and look at Bert Cooke's Provincial record...look out for number 1, now Gus is in the later years of his playing career and is giving something back to his home province while he can, and by god he is!!

[justin77]

Dont know whether The Northland Age has a letter's to the editor section but if they do I think you should write TR because mine won't be published somehow!

I think this guy Radich should take up writing about Pentanque or something like that because he certainly doesn't know jack shit about rugby!!

Bert Cooke, he must of played for about 5 or 6 different teams, does that sound right?

And yeap you can't blame players for wanting to go and better their rugby in the big smoke, hate it when it happens but thats reality, it's great when they return though, take a bow Holwell and Gus!

[kev]

I can't understand where this guy is coming from either. This competition is tight and matches will swing on home town advantage, ref's call etc. The Captain not being allowed to talk to the ref is not good - hope he got a blast from the review they do after the game.

I have no problem with guys moving and of course everyone wants a good proportion of home grown talent. When Auckland was fielding Nick White, Justin Collins & Derrin Whitcombe and winning the NPC while our scrum was going backwards, I didn't begrudge them their opportunity -  the only thing that was missing was the Auckland loan  players we should have had. Super 12 allowed them to store money and players like a bank. The new competition has seen this change slightly and now we have a few more imports while we rebuild - great!

[bareos]

I often read his articles online to, just to get the Norths perspective on rugby from club to ANC. What the Ref done to Collins in not allowing him to speak to him was wrong, and clearly so as the Captain has all rights to do so.

Wheather this guy thinks its wrong or right doesnt give him the right to attack Collins loyalty, what has that got to do with it!!. After every game Collins face is bandaged to stop all the blood from pissing out. Sounds to me its just an excuse to jump on the "NRU dont give a shit about us up here" band wagon.

These kinds of articles dont do any good for Northland rugby, rugby players careers arent that long, so they have limited time to make money. While we all hate it when players go to other unions at least we (the die hard supporters) still acknowledge where they come from.

[taniwharugby]

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I would like to offer a response to some of the comments in Matt Radich's article following the Northland defeat to Southland.

Radich claims Northland were bleating about the incompetence of the ref; if he had watched the game, be it from a Northland perspective of even a neutral perspective he would have known that they were fully justified.

In the 2nd spell especially the ref did make numerous poor calls, often influenced by the "ever aggressive halfback Jimmy Cowan" and Clarke Dermody after he had called play on.

As Captain, Collins has every right to talk to the ref, the fact that the ref denied him the opportunity to discuss a problem is something simply not good enough at this level.

He also states "the signs were there where the tempo of the game was too much for them" which is complete nonsense. Northland started the 2nd spell well, but fell back into 2005/2006 mode and errors crept in, again not helped by the poor reffing.

Northland players have admitted they fell short of the standard they want in that 2nd spell, but to say they were never in it, despite leading comes accross as a comment form someone who knows little about rugby.

Lastly, his comment about Gus' loyalty, what a crock! While I hate it when players like Norm Maxwell, Todd Miller, Mark Robinson, Scott Linklater, Derren Whitcombe, Angus MacDonald, David Holwell, Justin Collins, Jason Shoemark et al leave Northland, I do not be grudge them.

They, like many other people leave the smaller provinces to head to the bigger ones for a variety of reasons in all areas of life; Work, University, Family etc.

To say he is disloyal for leaving his province to further his rugby career, now he is back giving something back to the new talent is tatamount to saying that all young Kiwi's that go on thier OE are disloyal to NZ for leaving, even if they do come back with thier money and skills developed over there.

I am sure Mr Radich has never left anywhere to further his career!

I do question Mr Radich's loyalty to Northland and rugby in general after reading such an average article.

Wayne

[the champ is here]

Nicely written TR.  Lets see if you get a reply (or even an entry into 'to the editor' section...

Let us know.

[kev]

Good work, we have got to show that their is a loyal base supporters who want positive, informed comments on our team.

Hope you get a response.

[taniwharugby]

I assume it will get in as I got a response form the editor asking for my personal details for thier files, not for publication...

[justin77]

Nice work TR, that'll show'em! We may see some more positive articles from our new 'best mate' Matty Radich in the future! :whistle: :nta

[justin77]

See our man is at it again! TR I don't think he read your letter....

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Matt Talks - 6 September 2007


Northland have to be flattered by their narrow loss to Taranaki last Saturday at Okara Park. The cow men kept the Kauris in the hunt through their shocking goal kicking. So embarrassed were Taranaki, that near the end of the match, they kicked for touch rather than shoot for the posts. So where does Northland stand making the top eight. It's unlikely to happen. With matches against Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Waikato and Counties, the going is going to be tough. It's obvious coach Mark Anscombe is sticking to one core of players to get the results. But it's not working. There is little depth and experience in this Northland wide side and this along will count against them.

[taniwharugby]

I reckon he is now trying to wind me up....

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I see he is at it again! Proving his ignorance and lack of knowledge about rugby in his criticism of Northland's loss to Taranaki.

Pointing out the kicking as the reason Northland was still in the game gives more evidence he has little idea about rugby; Taranaki picked up an intercept try, reduce 5 points and remove 1 missed kick; another try scored off a dubious pass, remove 5 more and 1 less missed kick.

Also you cannot claim penalties as points missed on if missed, they change the whole complexiety of the game; it re-starts at half way, not the 22 as a converted penalty does!

Maybe 'Matt' should just stop writing about rugby lest he finds out a little more about how the game is played? Or maybe he should move to Auckland and suport a team he can cheerlead for? Oh wait, that would make him disloyal for leaving somewhere to 'further his career.'

While it is frustrating to see Northland lose, it is good to see some fighting spirit in the side this year, something sorely lacking in seasons gone by, this Northland side is not the finished article, and should they hold onto the bulk of them for next year too, we could well see these type of results fall our way too!

What Matt needs to remember is that up until last year, most of this team had never tasted victory at this level, and while most have now experienced what it feels like to win, while I am sure many players now believe they can win they may not yet believe in thier own abilities or many of thier team mates to truly believe that they can not only win these games, but they deserve to win.

Tell him to read the article in the Northern Advocate by Bryce Woodward (ex Northland Coach and successful U21 NZ Coach) if he wants to learn a little about analysing a game of rugby.

[taniwharugby]

wonder what he will say this week, he predicted that Northland would get thumped by Auckland....

[Voltman]

taniwharugby said:

wonder what he will say this week, he predicted that Northland would get thumped by Auckland....

"Northland again prove they don't deserve to be in the Air New Zealand Cup by spectacularly failing to secure a bonus point against a very poor and overrated Auckland side."

[taniwharugby]

Voltman said:

taniwharugby said:

wonder what he will say this week, he predicted that Northland would get thumped by Auckland....

"Northland again prove they don't deserve to be in the Air New Zealand Cup by spectacularly failing to secure a bonus point against a very poor and overrated Auckland side."

You write for the Northland age as well?

[Voltman]

taniwharugby said:

Voltman said:

taniwharugby said:

wonder what he will say this week, he predicted that Northland would get thumped by Auckland....

"Northland again prove they don't deserve to be in the Air New Zealand Cup by spectacularly failing to secure a bonus point against a very poor and overrated Auckland side."

You write for the Northland age as well?

Nah, just read lots of Stephen Jones' stuff on the All Blacks.  :happy:

[justin77]

Voltman said:

taniwharugby said:

Voltman said:

taniwharugby said:

wonder what he will say this week, he predicted that Northland would get thumped by Auckland....

"Northland again prove they don't deserve to be in the Air New Zealand Cup by spectacularly failing to secure a bonus point against a very poor and overrated Auckland side."

You write for the Northland age as well?

Nah, just read lots of Stephen Jones' stuff on the All Blacks.  :happy:

Voltman and Matt Radich, what a great team....  :tongue:

[justin77]

Matty Muppet bites back! Go TR!!! Sick em boy!! :knubble:

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FROM NORTHLAND AGE 13 Sept 07

Last week I got a little flak thrown at me regarding my comments on loyalty of Northland captain Justin Collins. To Wayne of Kamo, Collins and also Ian Jones left a desperate Northland team for one reason: MONEY!

[taniwharugby]

idiot...is why all people do everything in this world! 

[taniwharugby]

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After Matt's response to me over his claims that both Gus Collins & Ian Jones left Northland for MONEY; I thought it might be wise to note that Ian Jones left Northland in 1993 for North Harbour, a couple of seasons prior to rugby becoming professional in 1996.

Clearly more evidence to Matt's lack of knowledge!

I wonder if Matt has ever done anything to further his career, and thus, earn more money? Or does he work for free and not dictated to by mans greatest evil?

[kev]

Talk about glass half empty....I wonder if he wakes up all bitter and twisted.

They left for the opportunities those sides gave them - and their careers benefited from that. In the past with the old relegation system and the Super 12 funded big city teams, Northland ( who happen to zoned with one of the two best sides in NZ - Auckland ) never got players picked and were always left open to the threat of relegation. Who would sign a long term contract with us on that basis ? ....apart from the legend Glenn Taylor that is.