Northland Rugby 2022
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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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Waipu team named for final tomorrow, been raining last few days, but suppose to be fine tomorrow.
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Strong MN side named
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very warm winters day up here, perfect conditions for rugby.
Mid Northern were dead last in 2019, and saved from playing the promo-relegation game due to Mid Western being unable to field a full strength team due to injuries, then losing finalist in 2020 (losing to Waipu) and 2021 (losing to the Sharks) all signs point to them going one better in 2022, much stronger on paper and hitting great form in the past few weeks.
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As expected, Mid Northern were far too strong for Waipu taking the lollies 53-19.
It was a totally dominant performance from the men from Hukerenui, scoring inside the opening minute, and were up 17-0 inside 12 mins.
Star of the show was mid-fielder Kalani Going who scored 4 or might have been 5 tries today, showing pace, power, nice change of pace.
The MN pack was much too strong for Waipu, who tried hard, but MN pushed them off their own ball at scrum time and set the platform for MN to run riot.
Jonah Mau'u the Waipu skipper was the best in a losing side, his brother Deon Mau'u in the mid-field is a big lad, showed some good touches and raw power, Bruce Kauika-Peterson had a good battle with Jordan Olsen (who was playing 6) with them both determined to hit the other hard anytime the other came near.
Valance Yates the MN hooker shows some good promise, I was pleased to see Alan Craig showing some physicality, also showed a nice turn of pace and put through what I thought was a poor option of a kick inside the 22 off his own break, that Kalani Going ended up scoring off.
The MN front row of Davies & Apoua got through some work, as did the Waipu Prop, Mahue Dewes, who while he looks like he is carrying 20kg too much, worked hard all game, even had a 30m carry late in the game.
All in all, Mid Northern deserved winners, built nicely as the seaosn wore on, despite a couple of hiccups earlier in the season and thier last 3 games they scored over 40 points which were against 2nd place, semi final and then the final.
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2nd slide shows Kalani Goings 4 tries.
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@taniwharugby said in Northland Rugby 2022:
As expected, Mid Northern were far too strong for Waipu taking the lollies 53-19.
It was a totally dominant performance from the men from Hukerenui, scoring inside the opening minute, and were up 17-0 inside 12 mins.
Star of the show was mid-fielder Kalani Going who scored 4 or might have been 5 tries today, showing pace, power, nice change of pace.
The MN pack was much too strong for Waipu, who tried hard, but MN pushed them off their own ball at scrum time and set the platform for MN to run riot.
Jonah Mau'u the Waipu skipper was the best in a losing side, his brother Deon Mau'u in the mid-field is a big lad, showed some good touches and raw power, Bruce Kauika-Peterson had a good battle with Jordan Olsen (who was playing 6) with them both determined to hit the other hard anytime the other came near.
Valance Yates the MN hooker shows some good promise, I was pleased to see Alan Craig showing some physicality, also showed a nice turn of pace and put through what I thought was a poor option of a kick inside the 22 off his own break, that Kalani Going ended up scoring off.
The MN front row of Davies & Apoua got through some work, as did the Waipu Prop, Mahue Dewes, who while he looks like he is carrying 20kg too much, worked hard all game, even had a 30m carry late in the game.
All in all, Mid Northern deserved winners, built nicely as the seaosn wore on, despite a couple of hiccups earlier in the season and thier last 3 games they scored over 40 points which were against 2nd place, semi final and then the final.
As long as I can remember Mid Northern have been that team. What is it about teams that make them winners year after year?
