Current squad for 2018
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Contracted players and High Performance Squad
http://www.taniwha.co.nz/newsarticle/59647
Dan Pryor has re-signed!
Also signed Jonno Kitto:
A New Zealand rugby union scrum half and former New Zealand U20 player who is currently playing for the Harlequins; he has previously played for Leicester Tigers and Worcester Warriors in Premiership Rugby. He was born in Christchurch, New Zealand.Regan Varney:
Taranaki born Regan Verney has proved to be a furious tackler in the Wellington backline since making his Provincial debut against Manawatu in 2017.
Verney attacking ability was also highlighted during the 2017 season as he crossed the whitewash for 4 tries. The former New Plymouth Boys High School student Verney plays his club rugby with Old Boys University. Verney's superb Mitre 10 Cup form was rewarded with a Super Rugby contract with the Chiefs for 2018. -
@taniwharugby what’s worse Alaimalo was in the Blues development squad back in 2016.The chiefs were watching him play for the Blues Dev squad against the NZ under 20s at the Ardmore rugby club before they headed off to Australia in May 2016.
Tana was at the same game not sure what he was watching..but even I had heard the chiefs were looking at him,the Blues offered Solomon a wider training squad birth for 2017 and the chiefs offered a full contract.
Very similar situation happened to Taleni Seu offered a Blues wider training squad contract ended up with a full contract at the chiefs.
They often say selection selection is in the eye of the beholder..makes me wonder if the Blues selectors rock up to games with their eyes closed. -
@taniwharugby interesting wider squad,Great to see Ben Mather back in the mix,he’s very tidy at first five with very good game management.
Also Sweetman back from injury.Looked up the boy Walon Skipps on Utube looks a very interesting prospect,looks to have good footwork and speed.
Other selection that caught the eye was Kane Jacobson open side flanker who was in the North Harbour squad last year.
Plenty of young guys who I reckon will be good to go over the next 2-3 years,crazy connection with Mt Albert Grammar Tom Barlow ,Mikaaere Wiki and Mason Hohaia are some of the recent ones that have left MAGS recently,not to mention Emil Pittman,Jacob Matiu,Blake Hohaia,Jack Goodhue and Josh Goodhue and from last years squad Micheal Faleafa and Josh Larsen from last years squad.unbelieveable..!,have I missed anyone else..? -
@steven-harris rinekama and matich both attended mags as well. Never heard of the new signings but both playing at a high level
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@muddyriver I live next to MAGS and can remember seeing a few boys with Kauri tree eblems. This was before everyone started coming back to play for us so it worried me that were losing talent. But recent years have been good. Long may the return of the prodigal sons continue...
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Josh Goodhue has re-signed with Northland through till the end of 2020.
Ross Wright has re-signed with Northland through till end of 2019.
Kane Jacobson (Loose Forward) has signed for Northland for the 2018 season.
Isileli Tu’ungafasi (Prop) has signed for Northland for the 2018 season.
More info: http://www.taniwha.co.nz/newsarticle/62347
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Northland unfortunately has failed in its bid to sign Lyndon Dunshea,really disappointing given he was not on Auckland’s radar until injuries hit the Blues and Dunshea took his opportunity..typical Auckland I don’t think even they would know a good rugby player if one fell into their lap.
However just looking at the HP squads that were named.there are some talented sizeable loose forwards that will be worth a look at next Wednesday when they take on Counties Manukau..
On saying that,we may get one back over Auckland as the very promising first five who played for the NZ secondary schools in 2015 Wiseguy Faiane will be making his debut in Northland Club rugby this Saturday for Old Boys Marist and given he did have a season for Auckland in the Mitre 10 Cup last year will be well and truly on Whitcombe and Konia’s radar.
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Good little cameo from Matt Matich for Chiefs last night.
On this point ( an Itm cup level player having a shot at next level ) I wonder about the Blues signing u20 players before they have a decent amount of time at ITM cup level. It seems like they want to protect players. Not sure that all these players are ready? Some yes but not everyone matures the same. Why do they need to contract them before completion of the ITM cup this year....
I wonder if they should develop a two tier contracting system whereby franchises can protect their development players and have first right of refusal for contract upgrades. And that contracts are after ITM Cup.
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@taniwharugby understood...just not sure it’s the best system.
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@kev it isn't, but under the set up we have, isn't really a better way I don't think.
Back in the day these kids would play senior club rugby and learn form the wiley old fellas in their team (and opposition) now they go straight from school into M10 or Super.
I wonder if Nock was released to play for Keri Keri on Saturday?
Apparently Ranger played for Wellsford reserves and As, but Wright wasn't, and Hyland got limited minutes.
Odd thing about Wright, is that I thought he had been released completely anyway given he was only an injury replacement, so maybe he is injured rather than being told he isn't allowed to play?
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@taniwharugby I think there could be a better system. But that’s always a matter of opinion. The Blues are just absolutely crap at picking, developing and retaining players. Just happy that more of our players are getting a crack even if it is only as injury reserves. Ross Wright played really well and was unlucky with some ill informed criticism after his last game. Hope Nock turns a corner and has a great season for us. Good to have Ranger back - gives us back a real attack in option. Thought he got better for us in his last stint - played with real passion.
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http://www.taniwha.co.nz/newsarticle/63722
Dan Pryor is off to Japan. Just a great skilful heads up rugby player for us over many years.
Not sure what the mix of loose forwards will be like this year. No Ram, DP, Faleafa.
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@kev knew it was coming.
No surprises really, now is the best time for him to leave (obviously next year with RWC gonna be lots seeking overseas contracts)
With the injuries he has picked up past couple of seasons, I expect the slightly less physically demanding Japanese league will prolong his career.
I'll see if I can find the link to something I read on FB, was a cool little piece about him.
Been a great servant to Northland rugby.
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More signings...
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Good to see Nock playing a lot better for the Blues on Friday. Making his decisions faster, taking control a bit more, started to run as well. The ball wasn’t well protected by the forwards and one time he had the ball slapped from his hands by Higginbotham who was offside at the ruck, which was disappointing. But good signs for Northland. Hope he gets more game time?
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@kev form what I have seen, Sykes has been in awesome form, and in the games I saw of Matiu, he looked strong in the carry and on d.
I'm not yet sold on Thoroughgood, hope he proves me wrong.
Yeah definitely one of Nocks better games (still a way from commanding a starting spot) thought his passes were crisp and accurate, got himself around the park in the right places, but yeah agree that the forwards did let the Reds in around the fringes too.
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looks like we will be without Macilai for the season, we were already looking thin on firepower outwide, but this makes it worse.
Hopefully one of the rookies will step up and show his worth.
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@taniwharugby said in Current squad for 2018:
looks like we will be without Macilai for the season, we were already looking thin on firepower outwide, but this makes it worse.
A back three of Debreczeni, Ranger and Hyland?
There's lots of young midfielders so no need to have Ranger blocking their progress. Debreczeni has played plenty of games at fullback and it's worth having a good look at Faiane at 10
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@duluth yeah thats what it is likely to be, but I'd of preferred Macilai, Alaimalo, Ranger
But if any of them get injured, then we are into the newbies...are a couple that look sharp at club footy (Renata Te Nana looks very good)
I do hope we play Ranger on the wing instead of centre though, guess depends on if Goodhue makes the ABs, although as you say, we dont need toplay him there though.
