<p>Well that has left me with egg on my face as Counties (Jordan Taufua) have just powered over from close range not far from the posts to take the lead</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Nth Harbour  07 - 10  Counties</p>

Not the greatest of games to open the season but harbour hold on to win 20 - 17

Thought counties hands let them down a lot. Often looked dangerous on attack before a knock on stopped the play. Harbour probably lucky to get the win but I guess they did enough, just!<br><br>
Harbour still harbour but defence looked a bit better than the last few years. Gatland at 10 seems a better choice than mcghan even though he is young. Could work really well with Hall at 9 then Little and Vaega n the mid field. In fact quite a decent backline with duffie there, the inconsistent as ever Tevita Li and the new big winger from northcote who had a great club season but didn't really turn up tonight.

<p>I enjoyed that after an enforced break. I thought there was some ok rugby at times.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Funny seeing Walter Little's kid running around. </p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="606434" data-time="1471517707">
<div>
<p>I enjoyed that after an enforced break. I thought there was some ok rugby at times.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Funny seeing Walter Little's kid running around. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Him and Matt Vaega looked impressive together in the midfield I thought. They look pretty good if they can stay injury free.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="606434" data-time="1471517707">
<div>
<p>Funny seeing Walter Little's kid running around. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Made me feel old, proper old.  Seeing the kid of a top all black of my youth playing at rep level ... yeah.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good start to the season though.  Breakdown laws look better, but I have to read up on them</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="606509" data-time="1471544333">
<div>
<p>Him and Matt Vaega looked impressive together in the midfield I thought. They look pretty good if they can stay injury free.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Probably Matt Vaega's best game. Little got better as he game went on.. his handling was a bit off early on</p>
<p> </p>
<p>An impressive combination given that their first choice would have been Ranger/Ahki</p>

Is Ahki injured?

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="606532" data-time="1471554065">
<div>
<p>Is Ahki injured?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Yes.. gone for the rest of the year</p>

<p>As is Ranger too isn't he? He comes off contract with NH after this season too I think, having not suited up yet in 2 seasons.</p>

<p>Ranger is injured for the year too. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>NH didn't have the budget to replace Ranger or Ahki so they have a smaller squad than most</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>TR - do you think Ranger will head home next year? I suspect he will want to give something back to NH</p>

<p>tough to comment on that given the reasons why he went to NH in the first place...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Will just say his heart is in Northland.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="606548" data-time="1471558055">
<div>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Will just say his heart is in Northland.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Pretty sure his crops are still up there too</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="606509" data-time="1471544333">
<div>
<p>Him and Matt Vaega looked impressive together in the midfield I thought. They look pretty good if they can stay injury free.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Yeah, I should have said funny seeing Walter's and To'o's kids running around.</p>

<p>Next week: the Shield. :)</p>

<p>I thought Harbour looked a little bit better than Counties in this one. The stats seem to back that up too.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If August Pulu played this game, I think Counties get the W. Judd was just really bad and held the team back(Vaka didn't help either). I would've brought on Taumateine a lot earlier.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Li is just all comedy these days.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>TJ  was doing his best Nisbo impersonation with how many times he got player names wrong.</p>