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Team Talk with Ben Castle |
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Written by The Captain
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Monday, 28 August 2006 |
Well, it wasn't pretty and it's a shame we didn't get that bonus point but at least we've finally got a win. That's the best way of looking at Saturday's match with Manawatu, coming off that sort of second half. We probably played about 20 minutes of classy rugby in that first half but Manawatu came out well in the second half and put us under pressure, which probably created a few of the penalties.
The count was about 16-2 in the second half which is going to hurt anyone - especially playing into that sort of wind. Our discipline's really letting us down at the moment - it was evident last week and unfortunately evident again. It comes down to individuals and unfortunately the same guys are making the same mistakes. It's all about accountability in that regard. We have to take a good look at it.
Tasman are a good side and they're pretty strong at home - they gave Manawatu a bath last time they played them - so we're going to have to be on the ball. If we can cut out the ill- discipline, it will be a completely different game.
Speaking of ill, our big lock Mark (Sos) Sorenson probably could have got out there on Saturday but it was probably better for the rest of us that he didn't. They were calling it a ``viral infection'' and there was a bit of green smoke coming out of his orifices so it was quite pleasing not to have his smelly breath anywhere near us this week. We considered bringing him and his breath on as a key weapon in the match - but we were only going to do that if he volunteered to play prop. He has certainly dominated a lot of the bench in the training room anyway - people were keeping well clear of him
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