Looking forward to 2019...
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@Steven-Harris said in Looking forward to 2019...:
Hearing that Dan Hawkins could be back in the frame for the 2019 season returning to Northland..thoughts Taniwha heads..?
Wouldn’t be the worst thing to have him back. He’s a popular squad man that’s for sure. In terms of on field, as long as he’s not kicking from hand I’m happy. His last two seasons for Northland were quite good..a massive improvement from when he started.
Does this mean they now see J Deb as a fullback option?
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@Steven-Harris I see he has been playing in Irish 2B league? No idea on the level, but assume it would be round Club Footy level here?
Cant fault the guys effort and attitude, but IMO his very best games are usually 7/10 at this level, and while he is reasonably consistent, I've always thought he lacks the pace and kicking length to provide a genuine option from 10.
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@taniwharugby I like a first that straightens the attack with first few steps. Add pace, skill and courage and you have perfect mix. Dan was courageous but his first movement has always been across field. But put him in the mix and he could be a good squad man.
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@taniwharugby said in Looking forward to 2019...:
@Steven-Harris I see he has been playing in Irish 2B league? No idea on the level, but assume it would be round Club Footy level here?
Cant fault the guys effort and attitude, but IMO his very best games are usually 7/10 at this level, and while he is reasonably consistent, I've always thought he lacks the pace and kicking length to provide a genuine option from 10.
The last few years, Dan Hawkins has played in Japan for Mitsubishi DynaBoars (Top Challenge League; just won promotion to the Top League). He is still listed on their website and his name hasn't appeared yet on a list of players that are leaving, but that may still come, of course.
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@Stargazer when I googled what he'd be upto last night it came up with Sligo RFC in Ireland and there was a pic of him in a team photo, although looked to be an age group team, so possibly as coach
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@taniwharugby He has indeed played for Sligo; he arrived there in September 2011. In this article, you can read about his arrival.
As his first season with Northland was that of 2013, you'd have to assume he played for Sligo RFC for one or two seasons (2011-12 and maybe 2012/13).
Hawkins has played for the DynaBoars from the 2017/2018 season, so for two seasons.
His most recent game for the Dynaboars was their promotion/relegation game of 23 December 2018.
No Top Leauge in Japan this year because of the RWC, so non-test players will be looking for something else. That could explain his possible availability for Northland in 2019.
So if he's really in Ireland now (was it a recent photo you saw?), he may just spend a holiday there at his old club? Wouldn't it be a bit odd if he wants to play for Northland this year and not play club rugby in Northland? I guess you'll find out when the club rugby season in Northland kicks off.
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the internet is awesome for information until it isnt.
As I said, was just a quick peruse last night, didnt see anything about Japan (which is where I thought he had gone) and was only the Sliga stuff that came up, so assumed that was the most recent.
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NRU just announced on thier FB page that Matich has re-signed for 2019.
Yes!!
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@taniwharugby Great news!
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First Round of the Northland Club season for premier 1 teams starts today
A rematch of the Northland of last year’s final between Kamo v Waipu looks to be the feature game to be played at WaipuBoth teams have lost some players from last year or some that are not available until the 2nd round.
Great to see Englishman Alex Gale back at Kamo,from what I understand the tighthead prop has been training the house down with the Taniwha HP squad..a very big man at 135 Kgs,but was probably the best tighthead at club level in 2018.A couple of intersting newcomers to the Old Boys Marist team will be former Southland and Blues mid fielder Matt Johnson who has decided to try his luck in the North.
Waikato halfback formerly at Hamilton Boys High a few seasons back Harrison Levien who has settled in at OBM as well.
Credit to both these fellas as they have not been contracted but are both willing to impress via club rugby.One player I will be keeping an eye on is former Samoan under 20 and Auckland sevens player Pisi Leilua ,a tall rangy player who has exceptional footwork and pace who also has hooked up with Waipu
The further development of Wiseguy Faiane should take another step as well having joined his Northland Dev coach Graham Dewes at Waipu..great that he has hung around the Northland scene.
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Premier Results :home team named first
Waipu 21 Kamo 3
Otamatea 10 Old Boys Marist 45
Hora Hora 27 Kerikeri 14
Western Sharks 50 Hikurangi 7
Mid Northern 31 v Welsford 62Waipu proved to strong at home for an under powered Kamo outfit
The 2018 champions while creating a few opportunities where missing several front line especially in the pack and it was Waipu who dominated the forwards exchanges 2018 Northland squadman Temo Mayanavanua the standout.There were big wins for the Western Sharks who impressed Northland coach Derrin Whitcombe who was on hand with their organisation given it was round 1,the amalgamation with Kaihu Valley looks like it may pay some handsome dividends with really good numbers turning up to training .
Wellsford proved to strong for a Mid Northern outfit that is missing several frontliners,Wellsford fielding 5 Northland players,Paddy Joe Atkins,Jordon Hyland,Sean Sweetman and Brothers Matty and Ross Wright who packed down at number 8
One player to watch during the season will be Fijian winger Ratu Mara who caused Wellsford many a problem..
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@Steven-Harris did you get up for the game?
I see Laupepe was named at 10, assume Thoroughgood is injured? How'd Laupepe go?
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@taniwharugby had to rely on reports,Kamo had several personal missing
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@Steven-Harris Did Tamati Tua play this weekend?
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@Tim said in Looking forward to 2019...:
@Steven-Harris Did Tamati Tua play this weekend?
He wasn’t on he team list Kamo posted on Facebook.
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@Tim tua was’nt listed on the Kamo team sheet,
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I saw him at the NRU gym a fortnight ago and looked in good shape no visible limp or other injuries
