Looking forward to 2019...
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heard Alaimalo will not be joining Northland this year.
No word on where he is going, but assume Waikato, as my understanding is he wants to play 15, which he cant if he stays at Ta$man which is why he's leaving.
Since these negotiations have apparently been going on since soon after the conclusion of last years M10 Cup, I hope we havent been pinning our hopes on getting him and not been looking at other options for 15?
As great of a servant Matt Wright has been for us, I think 2019 will be a step too far for him.
Also heard that Ranger was looking at getting into that Rapid Rugby thing rather than play M10, which would be a shame, as playing for Northland seems to be what gets him going, as when he is not playing M10/ITM Cup for Northland, he just doesnt seem to have his spark and energy at other levels either.
Not to mention, he is getting close to picking up 100 caps.
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@taniwharugby said in Looking forward to 2019...:
Also heard that Ranger was looking at getting into that Rapid Rugby thing rather than play M10
Why? I think RR finishes before the NPC?
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@taniwharugby The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that Rapid Rugby has been postponed until 2020.
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Maybe Rinakama might head back for another season then...
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@Tim See my most recent post in the Rapid Rugby thread; there will still be a "showcase" series of games. It doesn't say how many games, but the last game in 2018 was played on 17 August, so the first weekend of the Mitre 10 Cup. If this year's series will be played in the same period, it shouldn't interfere with Mitre 10 Cup too much.
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@taniwharugby that’s gonna be very interesting regarding Rinakama, you do wonder what sort of advice these guys get from their agents, no question the man can scrum..just his defending close in let’s him down..if he rectifies that part of his game along with fitness ,he’s probably looking at a super contract ..
I also see Isi Tuangafasi was on the team list for the Saders in their pre season game against the Canes.. -
@Steven-Harris yeah I think he was in some pre-season pics with them before Xmas?
What I hadnt realised was Ross Wright at the Chiefs, could be a shortcut to the ABs after last year with Tu'unukuafe and Ta'avao
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@taniwharugby rapt for Ross.should have been at this level several years ago.
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@Steven-Harris Did you make it to the pre-season game?
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Some Northland news hot off the press..
Gonna start with the not so good.Rene Ranger picked up a serious a ACL injury in his first hit out for the Sunwolves on Weekend he has retuned to NZ for an operation and is likely to be out for 9 months.
Which means any involvement in the Mitre 10 Cup will be touch and go.Northland have also released halfback Jono Kitto who has picked up a contract with Worcester Warriors in the Gallagher Premiership.
The money was too good for Kitto to turn down so he leaves with Northlands blessings.Tighthead prop Ropate Rinakama has also been released,having left Northland Rinakama was heading to rapid rugby ,but unfortunately with that competition having fallen over..His agent did reapproach Northland but given he may part of the Fijian squad later this year at the World Cup ,signing Ropate would have been a risk.
Johnny Macilai has decided to take a break away from rugby and get his body back in shape.
Matt Matich has still not re signed ,originally he was looking for opportunities overseas ,but got called into the Blues as injury cover so we may have to see how this plays out.
There has been an expression of interest from another Mitre 10 Cup province which will no doubt amp up the stakes..Also Matt Wright has withdrawn from the HP squad to focus on work ,he will still have an opportunity to wear the Taniwha jersey if he displays club form
Northland made a play for both Solomon Alaimalo and his brother Charles but unfortunately the offer was declined,smart money tells us he’s off to Waikato.
There is some good news
Powerful English tighthead prop Alex Gale has returned to Northland and is part of the Northland HP squad and apparently has shed some Kgs and is training the house down.
Also congratulations to Isi Tuangafasi who joined the crusaders as injury cover and it’s looking likely with Tim Perry having brocken his arm his stint could be extended.
Northland are negotiating with a midfield back and a fullback/winger but at this stage but I will be keeping this info under my hat until I find the info is more solid.
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@Steven-Harris there are 2 players in the Blues dev side saying they are Northland players (Caird and cant recall the other, but from NH) they must be recent too
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@taniwharugby Sam Caird signed with Northland before Xmas
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The other one was Glenn Preston
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@Duluth I think that might be a typo..I would be very surprised if Glen Preston would leave harbour for Northland
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@Steven-Harris said in Looking forward to 2019...:
@Duluth I think that might be a typo..I would be very surprised if Glen Preston would leave harbour for Northland
Or an Aucklander writing up the list - who figured "Northland/North Harbour... same diff".
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Thanks for the update @Steven-Harris
Sounds like a fair bit of movement going on already. Be interesting to see how our squad shapes up.
Really hope we hang on to Matich. I think he’ll be a crucial part of our loose trio this year. Can’t afford to lose that experience.
I’m anticipating a young looking side this season with some new faces from within and outside the union.
I guess it’s the norm now to only get a couple of seasons out of most players with all the opportunities abroad. So the M10 cup sides put out different looking teams from year to year, with the small core of experienced grafters keeping the foundations.
Hope Ranger comes right, won’t bank on it though. Good opportunity for Gregory to stamp his mark now.
As a side note I ran into Regan Verney over the Xmas period and he said he was real keen to come back, Although he was worried about his injury. Be good to keep an eye on his progress. Rated him for Wellington, looked set for big things until he got hurt.
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Hearing that Dan Hawkins could be back in the frame for the 2019 season returning to Northland..thoughts Taniwha heads..?
