Toll Northland Mitre 10 Cup Squad for 2017
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Easily best squad we have had for years, lets hope Witcombe can bring it all together on the park rather than just a mint looking paper squad!
So my starting 15 would be:
Waa, Moulds, Kite
Goodhue, Robinson (assuming fit)
Pryor, Matich, Pryor
Nock, Breen
Tua, Goodhue
Macilai, Alaimalo, RangerOr with the back 3, you could leave Alaimalo at 14 and have Wright at FB with Ranger on the bench.
Bench: Olsen, Sililoto, Wright, Larsen, Ram, Markwick, Hawkins, Hyland
@Northlandallday I'd argue someone like Reuben Wright is unlucky given he was in the HP squad, they have signed Bond and Douglas from outside Northland, when ideally Goodhue, Larsen and Robinson will be our main locks, the next cab should have been a local (although maybe he was offered a contract but it didnt fit with his work/life commitments?)
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Strong squad. Exciting times. Hope can they get these guys together and mould a distinct pattern of play before the season starts. Starts at set piece with tight five - scrums and line outs are so important so interested to see the quality of the imported locks. This year we have a back line with a lot of talent....
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As Duluth said, best squad for bloody ages. Looking forward to this season, just hope the lads can piece together all that talent into onfield performances.
I think Whitcombe and co are going to have a few headaches on who to leave out, such a good problem to have.
Hopefully Jack Goodhue gets a full campaign with us, depends on those pesky ABs pinching him I suppose!
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@taniwharugby wouldn't mind seeing Rene given some time at 2nd five.
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Interesting that the squad has been taken down from the northland website,I wonder if there has been a error made,apart from of obvious non selection of Aorangi Stokes,Waisea Lawabuka,Warren Dunn,Matt Talease & Monty Lama from last years squad,the name that stands out is Epineri Uluiviti..?,I have heard he was having visa issues,but also form may have been an issue.
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is 34 players up there...yeah @kev Stokes is another unlucky for sure, seems a really strong abrasive player
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@Steven-Harris said in Toll Northland Mitre 10 Cup Squad for 2017:
Interesting that the squad has been taken down from the northland website,I wonder if there has been a error made,apart from of obvious non selection of Aorangi Stokes,Waisea Lawabuka,Warren Dunn,Matt Talease & Monty Lama from last years squad,the name that stands out is Epineri Uluiviti..?,I have heard he was having visa issues,but also form may have been an issue.
The page with the squad is still live; they have only removed it from the list of "Latest news" items. Maybe it wasn't meant to be published yet?
Toll Northland Mitre 10 Cup Squad for 2017
Toll Northland Mitre 10 Cup Squad for 2017: Solomona Alaimalo Fullback | Otamatea | 10 Games Chris...
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They squad was taken down from the Northland website because the NZRFU wanted all the squads to be released on the 8th August to coincide with the Mitre 10 cup launch.
Just on some of the players that missed the cut,Jacob Matiu was selected ahead of Aorangi Stokes,With so many other outside back options,Monty Lama missed the cut.
Warren Dunn is heading to police training college,Epineri Uluiviti & Waisea Lawabuka have visa issues and Matt Talease has picked up a contract in France.All the best to Matt Talease and Warren Dunn on their respective paths,hopefully the 2 Fijian boys can get their visa's sorted.
And hopefully we have'nt seen the last of Uluiviti and Aorangi Stokes,both looked a good prospects.Apparently we were very close to securing the services of Australian U20 & Melbourne Rebels tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax,very highly regarded.
After watching the Harbour final yesterday,Northcote beating Takapuna 17-15,I have no doubts our nearest rivals will be very strong in 2017
Will be interesting to see how they go in the premiership,they have signed Jared Hoeata & Sean Stephenson and Chris Eves.
I also believe Monster ( Shane Neville could be in the mix)
Played very well in the final for Takapuna. -
That seems an odd reason to take down the squad details. I would assume that by the 8th of August most teams will have played at least one pre season game and therefore most team details will be widely known.
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@Steven-Harris what was the deal with Lomax? Has he signed for another team, or is he staying put in Oz? Have heard good things about that guy, would have been a good scoop for us.
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@J77 said in Toll Northland Mitre 10 Cup Squad for 2017:
@Steven-Harris what was the deal with Lomax? Has he signed for another team, or is he staying put in Oz? Have heard good things about that guy, would have been a good scoop for us.
Lomax has just finished the first year of his 2-year Melbourne Rebels contract. I'd assume he will play for the Melbourne Rising in the NRC again? Obviously, we don't know what's going to happen to Rebels players if they're the franchise to be cut from SR ...
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given there was an article about 'The All Blacks' contacting him to entice him to NZ, and Cheika apparently keen on him, they (ARU) aren't gonna let him come here for Mitre 10 Cup where there is a chance he might see the light and try his luck here!
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@taniwharugby Bloody Aussies, no surprises there..
On the subject of props, I notice that Tongan who played for Waikato last year is missing from the squad. Can't remember his name, but he played for Kamo. Does anyone know what happened to him?
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@taniwharugby that's him.
Oh well that answers that then. Last I heard he was expected to be a beast.
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@Steven-Harris
Yeah Monster has signed with Harbour I hear. -
Northland has 2 x preseason games,both against North Harbour,
Should be a good pointer to how the Taniwha squad is shaping up before the season starts properly,as North Harbour now that they are in the premiership and have recruited very well, look a very good squad on paper.
Should be a good challenge for the Taniwha.
Can't wait..!Friday 4th August - Northland - Kerikeri - 2:30pm kickoff.
Thursday 10th August - Northland - Harbour Stadium Oval - 2:30 kickoff.
