MAGS 10-20 Auckland GS Pre Season Hit Out

The MAGS vs Auckland GS game was one of those games that were just for players to be tested and to see if the young ones could really handle at that level. The way they did it from what I could see, was MAGS would start with their strongest side and what they thought would be their best starting 1-15 and Grammar would play their sort of second team that are full of younger players that are going to fill the bench and be apart of the future for them. The second quarter Grammar would put their first team up against MAGS’s young fellas and it was a real good skill set to see and plan for both sides to really test their depth.

Now because a lot of those young players that played I didnt know by face or Face + Jersey Im just going to speak on what I thought about the teams as a whole and will start with Grammar. I thought as a whole Grammar was the stronger team that really made things harder on the MAGS team on the defencive side of things. Grammar to me defended better and were tackling with more urgency and Im talking about the younger side and i say this because they were beating the top side of MAGS in that first quarter. Grammar had some real enthusiastic young boys that were moving fast to the ball and tackling in packs which was great to see because they would threaten the rucks every time. Grammars young boys were very good when they got the ball back too because they never did anything to complicated and just went side to side with the ball waiting for that opening and managed 2 tries in that first quarter. Now if I knew the rosters I would be giving these young dudes a shout out but I wasn’t able to get a roster. The older players got on and they were exactly what I thought they would be and they did dominate but they weren’t finishing moves off with tries and the Young Boys from MAGS were really fighting with their backs against the wall with waves of attacking play from Grammar. I would put the finishing touches or lack of it just down to cobwebs from being away so long from the game and when the years starts we will see a more polished Grammar team. Now for the older boys I didnt see Matt Timoko or Tom Strachan and I think the “Word” is right and they are not returning back to school which is a massive hit to the back line structure and the team as well. Having two talented players like that leave at the same time is a shock to the back line. One thing to look forward to is having Corey Evans back in the line up because he offers a lot of offence and play making ability and then add in Rylee Samuela who played the best and you really have some fire. When you have someone like Rylee in your back line he can light it up from anywhere and you have to be some what careful because he can stop and start like nothing, and then he’ll find that gap and then find the right man to finish off the movement.

I saw a lot from Simeon who was playing at Fullback and he was creating on the run which I thought was a very good look for him because of his foot work. He was showing that he could attack the line and then get the defence to move and then he find the open player. Now even though Tom and Matt have gone they still have Simeon, Corey and Rylee and I also liked John Halkyard too thought he played strong. Tua Herman and Saula Mau came back and played strong as they do and with Jeff Ikani, Sam Rainger man they really have some power in that forward pack and I think they will set a strong enough platform for the backs to move off. Saula is still one of the best or maybe the best Prop in the country and will prove game by game what he can do and that he is worth the Black Jersey. I still think that Grammar will be one of the stronger teams in the 1A but the 2nd team in the 1A? Im not so sure of that cause those young dudes will have to step up and early in the season too.

MAGS are going to make it through this year constantly growing with every game that goes by  and I say that because they have a lot of players that I think are inexperienced, but it wont take long for them to catch up. MAGS have a good front row with Soane Vikena looking like a gym rat who has been lifting all summer and also Craven Martin looking good too and played a strong game as well getting around to the rucks and putting in that work. Tomislav Baker, Liam McNally and Terrell Peita make a really good loose forward and they cover all areas of the game. Terrell makes a massive difference when he is taking the ball head first into the line and gets his leg drive going. You could see how effective he was every run he made he kind of got stronger and stronger. Tom was very useful around the park and made the line out more dangerous as well even though they had some good jumpers in there. Kayne Mave at Half Back I think it was moved quickly and I think he sets a very good pace to make things happen and take the defence out as well. Dylan I thought did his thing and got Toara Ruben hitting the line hard and making sure that when Joel Cobb got the ball he was already on the move and heading right ahead and straightening up the attack. Joel I think was the key in that back line in getting the back 3 open and if that ball gets to David Fale and more so Jurrell Maiava then they can really open up teams.

The MAGS top team got played out by the Grammar young boys in the beginning but if it were a real game they would never beat MAGS. MAGS will have some work to do in figuring out their attack points on the field and who or where should they attack from and then they will be alright. I think MAGS if they figure this out early in the year they could end up as one of the Top 2 teams in the 1A and playing for a 1A Title.