Looking forward to 2019...
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Northland have announced a group of signings for the 2019;Mitre 10 Cup Season
Mathew Johnson OBM. (Midfielder)
Pisi Leilua Waipu (Fullback)
Tom Smith Kerikeri (First Five)
Corey Taylor. Kerikeri (Halfback)
Jonty Rae. OBM (Fullback/Wing)
Paddy Jo Atkins. Wellsford. (Hooker/Prop)
Nikau Graham Kamo (First Five) Apprentice ProgramBlake Hoahaia has extended his contract through until the end of 2020 season .
Really excited about having Mathew Johnson (Former Southland and Blues Midfielder part of the Taniwha set up
Pisi Leilua is in the Solomon Alaimalo mould is a very big quick fullback ,played sevens for Auckland
I especially like the look of Jonty Rae, tall rangy player who can play fullback or wing with a super big left foot, similar to James Lowes ,great for exits
One things for sure Northland will probably be fielding one of the biggest backlines in the Mitre 10 Cup.Fantastic to see the highly promising first five Nikau Graham bought in on an Apprentice programme, this kid looks the goods, played for the Northland under 19s last year .
Only 3 places to fill,
Tight head Prop,Lock and another Midfielder. -
@Steven-Harris any whispers about those final signings?
Is Robinson signed as a lock or loosie?
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@taniwharugby
Just process of elimination.I am thinking Alex Gale tighthead from a Kamo.Sean Sweetman Lock from Wellsford or Lucas Albornoz might be rewarded..
And one more midfield back, Maybe James Cherrington from Mid Northern ,might have to refer the Wider training and Contracted squad..it would be real surprise if they went outside that squad.. -
@taniwharugby Robinson has been signed as 6 that can play lock.
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@Steven-Harris ah ok...
so a stab at a starting 15 assuming all fit?
Ross Wright, Jordan Olsen (C) Tu'ungafasi
Goodhue, Caird
Robinson, Matich, Stokes?
Nock, Debreczeni
Tua, Johnson
Gregory, Rae?, Hyland -
@taniwharugby ok then...
Ross Wright, Jordan Olsen (C) Tu'ungafasi
Goodhue, Caird
Robinson, Matich, Stokes?
Nock, Debreczeni
Tua, Johnson
Gregory,Leilua? Rae?, Hyland
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Roberts-Te Nana?
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@Duluth yeah he will also be an option.
@Machpants yeah who knows the extent of it, may not be that bad...sometimes precautionary putting the moonboot on, cant see anything to indicate what he has done.
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have heard that Gregory's moon boot is more precautionary, so should be good to go.
Also rumours about former Taniwha Derek Carpenter returning, he'd be a great member to add to the squad for the young guys like Tua, Gregory and Johnson, although, not sure how this fits with the picking from club footy angle, given he been in AUckland, but I guess he is a quality Taniwha, gets a bit of leeway.
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fuck, just heard Tom Robinson is having knee surgery, sounds like a major and likely be out for upto 6 months...buggar (for him and Northland)
ignoring the headline
Call-up for potential All Blacks bolter Tom Robinson thwarted by injury
Blues flanker Tom Robinson has been denied a meteoric call-up to the All Blacks by a potentially season-ending knee injury.
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@Duluth possibly start Matiu at 8, Matich 6, Stokes 7? or maybe McNamara at 6, who only got a couple of games last year, Jacobsen been out all season following concussion so he unlikely to be back, unless they go with a complete rookie (a few lurking around the club scene look the goods, but big risk)
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McNamara probably edges it then.. you'd want a good lineout option to replace Robinson
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@Duluth yeah McNamara is a big unit given he played a bit at 7...the Canadian Albornoz is an undersized lock, so possibly an option too?
Losing alot of experience though, although they could recall former Taniwha Cam Goodhue who has been running around for Kamo recently
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Definitely not the news Taniwha supporters needed to hear,Robinson brings so much energy to a pack ..
Given that Robinson was going to be used mostly as a number 6, the most likely replacement will come from the HP squad so that brings into play these options
Saimoni Uluinakauvadra Waipu ,saw a bit of him in the trial very impressive with ball in hand ,apparently he was close to the best player on the field when the 2 top teams Waipu and Kamo clashed last weekend .
Jarod Byrnes from OBM ,tall and rangy with a massive engine, can play 7 as well...
Other than that another option would be Raikabula Moedonudonu from Waipu last years Fijian Under 20 captain he is in the emerging squad ..has a superb build for a loose forward ..
Lucas Albornoz from what I understand he has moved down to the Hawkes Bay and is currently in their HP squad .It’s a real bugger to lose Robinson for the season, but just thinking back to last year, we had him on the field for the first 3 and half games and had to do within him for much of the regular season..good opportunity for someone else to stand up.
Have heard though it’s going to depend on how the post opp goes so we may see him back at some stage during the season fingers crossed. -
Development squad named, no doubt a few will get the call up into the main squad.
Looks a handy squad.
Northland Development Team Named!
The 2019 Northland Development Team has been named! First training is on Thursday 11th July at 6pm at Pohe Island....
