Northland Rugby 2022
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dumb arse me, I knew there was a game today, but thought was the Waipu-Hika game...turns outs, that was last night, as expected, Waipu accounted for Hika 46-7 to book thier place in the top 4.
But the surprise today (in both not realising this game was today, and the result) was the top of the table clash between HH & MN, both sides fielding pretty much full strength lineups, and MN laying a marker, comfortably seeing off HH 8-36 to claim top spot, in what would have been damp conditions.
In doing so, they also took away whatever mathematical chance Kamo may have had of finishing 2nd.
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todays results see Moerewa/United Kawa Kawa take the final spot in the top 4 as they finish after they were far too strong for the Sharks 41-7.
OBM and Kamo finished at 22 all, which left Kamo & M/UKK on 28 points, M/UKK with a superior f/a and they beat Kamo several weeks back, well deserving of thier top 4 finish.
Next weeks semi finalists:
Mid Northern v Ngati Hine Moerewa / United Kawa Kawa
Hora Hora v Waipu
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Great to see the big fella back for another round!
Amid rumours of our coaches looking at calling players in from elsewhere (not marquee signings either) ignoring guys like Wright and Davies, who have put in the mahi this year, kicking it in club footy for years and still able to foot it in npc...not to mention there seems to be little development of the small number of promising young props playing locally.
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Also signed Trent Hape as the 3rd 9, originally from HB I believe, wouldnt have been my first choice as our 3rd 9, but hope he goes well!
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@taniwharugby Yep, Hawke's Bay lad, who played 1st XV for Hastings Boys, including in the 2016 Top Four Final. He has played a lot of sevens for Hawke's Bay and was at the Ignite 7s in 2018. He's never played for the Magpies.
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Fantastic news, definitely the kind of guy we need in and around the squad for.both his play and experience on and off the field.
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3 more signings announced, loose forward and Waipu skipper, Jonah Mau'u, HH prop Esile Fono and Mid Northerns Kalani Going in the mid field
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Semi finals day, with a very strong Mid Northern at home to Moerewa / United Kawakawa, and Hora Hora hosting Waipu.
Moerewa / United Kawakawa in thier first finals appearance have named a full strength side too, which against most of the other sides would be very handy, but have to think MN will be too strong as they press for consecutive finals appearances.
In the other side, this game should be a bit closer, after being schooled by MN last week, the HH pack will no doubt be out to right that, while I expect a tight game, I think HH will come through.
And in the south zone championship semi final today, Mid Western host Whangaruru in what is a pretty significant milestone for Michael Danks, hitting 250 games for Mid Western!
@Gunner assume he was part of the side that won the premiership however many years back that was, he also looks like he has a few more seasons left in him??
What did you hit last year, was it 200?
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Mid Northern rolled over Moerewa / UKK to book thier place in the final, against Waipu who got past HH at home.
Looking like MN coming into form at the right time and will no doubt be faves for the final.
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@taniwharugby think I got up to about 215 or there abouts.
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@taniwharugby also, yes Danks was in the MW team when we won the premiership in 11 & 12.
Interestingly enough, when Ben Berridge left school, the Northland coach at the time wanted him to play hooker. Our coach at the time (who you would have played a bit of golf with TR) told him to get eff’d, we’ve got a good hooker, Berridge is playing 8!
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More signings trickling out.
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@Chiefy07 Matiu has leaned up alot, so be interesting to see what his carries are like.
I think there is another prop to add, maybe 2 as I have heard rumours a contracted prop has pulled out (unsure of reasoning, injured or otherwise) but they are looking at someone off-shore...
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The Terepai King selection caught me by surprise , to be honest I am actually delighted as it means Eslie Fono ,Kalani Going & Terepai King have all come through via the Northland futures program..
As previously stated I am agreement there’s probably only 2 spaces left to cover , someone to cover Ofa Tuangafasi and one extra ..have heard of 2 possible outside propping options , but not a liberty to say at this time . -
@Steven-Harris yeah I see Fono at my gym now and then, and TR Jnr chats to him when he comes into his work, said he is a really nice guy, seems very humble
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Wouldn't we have enough props to use without going offshore. I've always rated Justin Davies and for someone who came in last minute last year I thought he went well. Also still got Coree TeWhata Colley too
What about the lock from UK-M that came from BoP?
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@Chiefy07 you'd think so wouldnt you...plus there is Pont-Bellamy, a promising young prop, who will hopefully been soaking it all in from Davies & Apoua at MN.
Lock is probably the one position we are flush in, but I do hope they get Vaipulu involved, especially with Goodhue supposedly heading to Japan.
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2022 Northland Taniwha Squad
35 named ,one TH prop to be confirmed ,and possibly another prop from the Wider training squad to cover Ofa TuangafasiDonates new to squad *
Tighthead Prop TBC
Conan O'Donnell * LHP
Jarred Adams * LHP
Ofa Tu'ungafasi* LHP
Eslie Fono * LHP
Chris Apoua THP
Ross Wright H
Matt Moulds H
Bruce Kauika Petersen* H
Allan Craig LK
Liam Hallam-Eames LK
Terepai King LK
Sam Caird LK
Josh Goodhue LK
Rob Rush LF
Tom Robinson LF
Sam McNamara LF
Matt Matich LF
Jacob Matiu LF
Jonah Mau’u LFTrent Hape * HB
Sam Nock HB
Lisati Milo-Harris * HB
Johnny Cooper F/F
Rivez Reihana F/F
Dan Hawkins F/F
Rene Ranger M/F
Kalani Going M/F
Jack Goodhue M/F
Blake Hohaia M/F
Tamati Tua M/F
Heremaia Murray* Utilty Back
Pisi Leilua O/B
Jone Macilai O/B
Brady Rush (NZ Sevens) O/B
Josh Moorby* O/BWider Training Squad
Corey Te Whata Colley
Justin Davies (Loosehead Prop)
Tevita Faukafa lock/looseforward
Saimoni Uluinakauvadra Looseforward
Tom Strahan (Halfback)
Ryan Nankivell (First Five Fullback)
Josh Davis (Wing /Fullback)
Kali Vaipulu (Lock)
Melani Fotu (loose forward)
Noah Cooper ( Fullback)
Tama Anderson (Wing/Fullback )
