Northland 2023
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@Steven-Harris said in Northland 2023:
@Stargazer you’ve got the right team , won’t show up on the original squad named but was signed around 10 x days ago.
Brazilian prop Wilton Rebolo?
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@Steven-Harris then there are always the ones that have left for schooling, or some of the WBHS boys starting to come through as well, the likes of Adyn Jones in the NH U21s this year.
Northland need a couple of solid seasons with consistent results (good ones, we've done consistent poor) and more of these young kids will want to return.
But as I've said before, as a parent, if a pathway missing out Northland and into other teams presented itself, I'd certainly suggest that (e.g Bell and Stewart in the Canterbury system)
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@Stargazer that’s the one , played for New York in the MLR and was part of the Brazilian front row that dismantled the NZ Māori front row a few seasons back ..destructive scrummager who can play prop or hooker would be a good pick up for an NPC squad
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@Steven-Harris known as Willie Nelson I believe. He is On the Road Again.
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Now official...signed on for 2023/2024
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@Bovidae
Kalani has a background in league , i am still staggered he only played one game for the Taniwha in 2022 , he was the standout midfielder at club level ,scored 4 tries in the Northland Club final playing for Mid Northern against Waipu , Came through with flying colours when it came to S&Cs , i would have understood if the Taniwha had very good midfielders ahead of him , but to see Blake Hohaia constantly being selected ahead of Kalani is still one of the great mysteries
Certainly a question i would love to put to George Konia -
Not unhappy with them re-signing Olsen, but him, Moulds and the south American (has that been confirmed @Steven-Harris ) who is pretty much replacing Ross Wright as a prop/hooker certainly not giving too many young fellas a chance.
Yates is a young hooker in the dev squad, coincidentally also plays at Mid Northern with Olsen, who played loosie last year...expect that'll happen again this year in club footy, so Yates has a good mentor at least.
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Our 2023 draw
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@taniwharugby Moulds will be lucky to play, returning from achilles injuries are no easy feat, and 9 months return is fast. So Olsen is an insurance policy theyll need to get him back to NPC fitness etc.
Most of last years squad has been re-signed by all accounts so very few contracts to hand out.
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@muddyriver yep, which is why I'm hoping they are bringing a young fulla through, assume that will be Yates given he has been in and around the squad.
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Northland Ranfurly shield map...
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@Chiefy07 yeah timing is not ideal, I'd be surprised if anyone of high calibre will be available this short of notice??
Maybe Bryce Woodward haha, I believe he might have a lesser workload form his usual day in recent months...but seriously, no idea, guess there were other applicants last year, but again, likely all placed somewhere now too
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Definetly came as a shock but after chatting to a few people in the know its 100% a family decision
to move back to the US
Marty was absolutely gutted as he can see some unbelievable potential in the union moving forward
He had implimented a game plan that was going suprise many in the NPC and the players had bought into it big time
The players have taken the news well and as long the same pieces can be put in place by the new coaching group its bussiness as usualOne real plus,the union is close to nailing one of the best young coaches in the world as an attack coach ,cant devulge his name as i have sworn to secracy on this one but it would have fitted in nicely Marty Veales attacking philisophy
The reality is there are better coaches from other parts world who look at the game through a lense
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@Steven-Harris i guess alot depends on who the next head coach ends up being, because they need to share the same philosophies of how they want things to go.
What we saw of Veale last year was very much strong defence, sadly I dont think Konia's attacking game was able to take advantage of the chances our defence created.
I have been impressed with the quality of young players I have seen in recent weeks of club rugby, just need the right guidance at club and above to nurture and retain them in the game.
We are fortunate we still have the likes of Ross Wright, Rene, Justin Davies, Matich, Olsen, Hawkins et al still running around club rugby, not only providing mentors to the next generation, but no doubt driving them on the park whether on same team or as opposition.
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@kev there’s a couple options on the table , Tama Winiana who can play halfback or first five or Kobie Scutt both were part of the Taniwha futures team earlier in the season or a bolter could be Jade Stewart who has linked up with Mid Northern and has pushed Scutt to fullback
Stewart was picked up by Canterbury but has returned NorthRegarding the coach , I know the union is very close to naming a successor to Marty Veale
I do know the union have almost signed off on an attack coach who is considered to be one of the brightest young coaches in the world.
Having seen the team he coaches in the NH , I am super excited