Northland 2025

[Steven Harris]

Some early season oil

New Blues hooker James Mullan has signed a 2 year deal with the Taniwha
Whangarei born Jake Heenan who has played for both Bristol and Connacht is returning home has penned a 1 year deal

Also hearing from a 3rd party that Marcel Renata has signed
Welcome home Marcel
There’s is another Auckland forward that is in negotiations with Northland at the minute

Also in negations with a NZ under 20 prop who is a current NPC player

Possible return to the Taniwha for Solomon Alaimalo and
Tevita Latu who has been bought into the Moana Pacifica squad

Jared Adams has been released from his contract
Remsy Lemisio has not been re signed
Shame about Remsy because he can scrum , just his fitness was not where it should have been

[taniwharugby]

@Steven-Harris was very disappointed with the condition Adams turned up in last year, is a quality prop to have coming off the bench especially around the park, same on Remsy, had a torrid time in his introduction to NPC in 2023 but his scrumming had improved out of sight last year. Such a shame, when I first saw him play club in 2023 he was in mint shape and looked a real prospect.

Thats good news re Mullan given the uncertainty of Moulds, the reluctance to promote Hutchings and the failure of that Aussie hooker.

Thats good for Marcel to return, that was has been in the pipelines for years I believe.

Interesting on Heenan, left with big wraps and didnt he go to Ireland as one of thier project players? Think he has had some injury issues, but still be good to have a genuine 7 option (assume he has been playing 7) given we havent really had a genuine one lock down a spot for a while.

edit - maybe not re the Irish project thing

Sport, Northern Advocate

Good Sports: Jake Heenan - Northern Advocate News - NZ Herald

Browse local and regional news from the Northland region, including Whangarei, Bay of Islands, Kaitaia, Dargaville and the far North - northernadvocate.co.nz

[Steven Harris]

@taniwharugby Jake who played NZ under 20 back in 2012 wasn’t worried about the money just wanted to give something back to the union where he started his rugby journey
His professionalism will be a great acquisition around the younger players , has lot of big knock out rugby experience
Apparently is in superb shape

Heard some great things about the off season work of Liam Hallam Eames and Sam Caird , both have put on 5kgs
Backline coach Ryan Martin is also returning as well Rivez Reihana rated him as the best backline attack coaches he has ever played under
I heard that through other coaches as well , totally wasted in the MLR imo

[kev]

Latu tried too much for my liking but no doubt has ability. Hope they keep developing the young backs they have in squad. Is Murray back? Good news on forwards.

[Steven Harris]

@kev there is an outside chance Murray could be back
In the hands of the Reds

[WoodysRFC]

@kev said in Northland 2025:

Latu tried too much for my liking but no doubt has ability. Hope they keep developing the young backs they have in squad. Is Murray back? Good news on forwards.

Very talented none the less, missed by Southland.