Northland Rugby 2022
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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 ) -
@Steven-Harris so no Uluilakepa, so was he the one who pulled out?
Wonder where he has gone.
Hope they got Conan fit, he didnt look fit in the games I saw, especially when you look at Davies in the WTG who is in possibly best shape of his career.
Man we got some locks!!
- Allan Craig LK
Liam Hallam-Eames LK
Terepai King LK
Sam Caird LK
Josh Goodhue LK
Plus we know Tom could step in here...
WTG
Kali Vaipulu (Lock)
plus Tevita Faukafa lock/looseforward - Allan Craig LK
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Did Kauika-Petersen play club rugby up there? How did he go?
Maybe he is the starter with support from the older options?
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@Duluth yeah he is playing for Waipu, the games I saw he goes pretty well, more an all round player, strong defender, carries, good lineout.
Waipu have also made the final this weekend, I think they were near the bottom of the table last year too, although had a horrid injury count.
Def think he will be an option to start.
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@Duluth Kauika Peterson went very well for Waipu , dynamic around the paddock , also throws very good darts ,have also heard that those final 2 propping spots could go to Coree Te Whata Colley who the Chiefs were very interstest in last year but opted out being a non vaxer ,will come down to a fitness test .
The most interesting news i have heard is a possible return for Kalolo Tuiloma to Northland who has got himself in great condition and had standout season for New York in the MLR and there has been an expression of interest from the Blues which is a bit of surprise for me unless he can play loosehead ..
Thought Moana Pasikika would be a better fit personally -
@taniwharugby at McDonalds somewhere in Wellington me thinks .
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