Northland 2023
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@Duluth chatted to the CEO of Northland rugby yesterday, apparently Wilton Rebolo has fitted in like a glove with the Taniwha Group , immensely strong and in superb condition what has surprised a few is his ball skills .
Rebolo was very much a Marty Veale selection as he had this player under him at New York in the MLR .
It’s fair to say there’s a few in the north that aren’t overly happy , but to be honest there’s a couple young props that are still around a year away Tahi Subritsky from Hora Hora a tight head who only changed to Rugby from league back in 2020 was impressive in the Futures tournament back in FebTrinity McQueen Western Sharks is also one they see as long term project as well as Craven Martin UK Moerewa
But as we know big difference in level between club and NPC especially for props if you have got a shoulder of a Super Player hit at scrum timeCoree Te Whata Colley is the frustrating one , has a massive frame , is physical and can scrum but S&C is nowhere where it needs to be
Was asked pre 2021 to join the Chiefs preseason training , but never fronted. -
@Steven-Harris said in Northland 2023:
It’s fair to say there’s a few in the north that aren’t overly happy
Good, that means people care. I’m not a fan of imports at all.
I’m pessimistic about the future of NPC in general. It’s main point of difference with SR is that it’s a representative competition not a franchise competition. If it becomes more like a franchise competition the arguments in its favour diminish. IMO players should come from the provinces club competition (with the exception of local players who have graduated to SR and people moving to region who will play club rugby the following year)
I’ve been consistent and it’s not about the quality of imports (I was against Olmstead as much as Vest/Pugh and am not happy about Thomas)
I haven’t followed closely.. will there be many new additions to the Northland squad this year? Have most of them played club rugby in Northland this year? Will Trainor be moving to Northland club rugby next season?
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@Duluth said in Northland 2023:
Will Trainor be moving to Northland club rugby next season?
Are a few that havent played club footy here, Trainor being the one that sticks out (plenty of comments about why they signed him - I think there are a few locals I'd have preferred first, but he is signed, so embrace it) Adams, Caird and Hallam-Eames have been playing MLR, but the 2 latter have been here for a while, so can be given a bit of latitude, otherwise, supposed to play Super and/or club footy.
I think you only need to look at the photo I posted in the club thread and the size of the crowd that turned up for a club final, people here will support rugby, but if you have a team of imports, people wont come along.
Most people will watch thier team full of local players battle away pinching the odd win as they connect with a team full of players they watch week in week out on thier local fields.
If Rebolo plays up a storm, he'll be welcomed in, and to be honest it wont take much for him to exceed the last 2 south american front rowers we tried out, one of whom was even capped by Argentina when they were good at scrumming.
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@taniwharugby said in Northland 2023:
I think you only need to look at the photo I posted in the club thread and the size of the crowd that turned up for a club final, people here will support rugby, but if you have a team of imports, people wont come along.
Most people will watch thier team full of local players battle away pinching the odd win as they connect with a team full of players they watch week in week out on thier local fields.
Absolutely. Not singling out Northland either.. I'm just surprised by the lack of criticism from all teams fans about imports.
Each year it seems there's more and more signings from outside provincial boundaries and most people seem ambivalent (which is why I'm pleased to hear some fans are annoyed about the signing of the prop)
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I assume there will be a few more names? Last year there was 8 'apprentices' too
Changes from the 2022 squad:
Props
Out:
Conan O'Donnell, Sila Puafasi, Coree Te Whata-ColleyIn:
Rob Cobb, Remsy Lemisio, Wilton ReboloHooker
Out:
Ross WrightIn:
Jordan OlsenLocks
Out
Josh Goodhue, Terepai KingIn:
Sean SweetmanLoosies
Out:
Jacob Matiu, Tom RobinsonIn:
Hayden Jurlina, Saimoni UluinakauvadraHalfback
No Change
First Five
Out:
Johnny CooperMidfield
Out:
Kalani GoingOutside Backs
Out:
Jone MacilaiIn:
Tama Anderson, Jordan Trainor -
Looks like only 4 guys (Rebolo, Cobb, Woods and Trainor) in the main squad who haven't played for Northland before - that's good consistency.
Jone Macilai biggest loss IMO. (Goodhue covered well by the 4 locks in the squad and Robinson barely played last year)
Good to see Sweetman and Olsen back
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@taniwharugby The French season starts on August 19, but then pauses from September 5 to October 29, so it would depend on his contract, I guess?
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@Tim I would guess his contract would be post RWC, he said in the recent podcast that he was still hopeful of playing RWC while also taking about the possible french move?
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Hhmmm, a starting 15, I'll assume we wont get Ofa much.
Props: Apoua / Adams
Hooker: Toss up really, all 3 capable, but I think I prefer Olsen
Locks: I'd like them to give Craig the early run, but I think they will start with Hallam-Eames and Caird
Loosies: Rush, Matich and Ma'u
Halves: Nock, Reihana
Centres: Goodhue, Tua
Back 3: Rush, Moorby, Trainor (although I'd like to see more of Tama Anderson at this level, while small, has gas and skills) -
@taniwharugby sounds right. Would definitely be a possible replacement if he doesn't make the squad.
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@taniwharugby Heremaia Murray worth a start on the wing?
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@Tim he broke his collarbone at Highlanders training, so at best, week 2 he will be back.
We start with storm week too, Canterbury (H) Taranaki (H) SOuthland (A) so could be a cracker of a start (or could be awful) but probably plenty of chances for players.
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@Duluth said in Northland 2023:
What’s the depth like at prop? What’s your opinion on Northland signing a prop from Brazil?
I wouldn't mind so much if these type of signings were used to mentor the young guys to help bring the next wave through where we currently have a skill/experience gap. I like the look of this years squad and I like the fact it is not much different from last year but would like to have seen at least one young prop prospect to get a development spot in the squad. Hopefully this is part of the reason Trainor has been signed - probably a decent mentor for Tama Anderson as a utility back.
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@taniwharugby said in Northland 2023:
Hhmmm, a starting 15, I'll assume we wont get Ofa much.
Props: Apoua / Adams
Hooker: Toss up really, all 3 capable, but I think I prefer Olsen
Locks: I'd like them to give Craig the early run, but I think they will start with Hallam-Eames and Caird
Loosies: Rush, Matich and Ma'u
Halves: Nock, Reihana
Centres: Goodhue, Tua
Back 3: Rush, Moorby, Trainor (although I'd like to see more of Tama Anderson at this level, while small, has gas and skills)Looks pretty strong. Think we're going to miss Macilai - look to be missing a bit of speed/X Factor out wide. If he stays fit I wouldn't be surprised if Sweetman gets plenty of game time at lock. Adds a bit of size and mongrel to the pack.
Our hooker should be chosen by having a throwing competition at the last training session before the team is picked. All 3 are good players but none inspires a hell of a lot of confidence at lineout time.
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@Chiefy07 we quite often lack strike ability out wide and Jone has provided some of that in recent years as a power winger. Same in loose forwards where I can’t remember when we last had a power player with ball in hand. Some young loose forwards I have yet to see in Woods, Jurlina?
Nevertheless with smart rugby we can still be effective. The team finished last year looking good.
I think we look light at 1st. Dan was playing 40 mins last year and while he remains a superb goal kicker I had reservations about his speed (plus he is another year older) and ability to play on the advantage line. Hope he has his tackle technique sorted - having spent time on the sidelines a couple of times.
Similarly Rene looked slow last year so not sure about his form this year?
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@kev yeah Jone will be a loss, although the coaches last year were quick to start others, from what I hear of injuries, our starting wings are looking like Rush & Pisi...
I only saw Wellsford play once this season, and Rene looked disinterested and didnt have alot of impact, that said, he was pretty good in the pre-pre-season game a month or so back v Auckland by all accounts, but with everyone on deck, I think he is a bench option at best behind Goodhue/Tua, guess they could look at Goodhue/Ranger mid-field and Tua on wing, but that isnt a quick mid-field.
Just rather they play anyone but Blake.
Hawkins has been pretty solid most of the club season, he plays the game, reads it quite well, so often see him pop up to make a try saving tackle multiple plays away from where he was last...his lack of pace has always been an issue, and yep, he has had those 2 reds on consecutive seasons, hope he doesnt go for the 3-peat, because he has been a valuable bench player in recent times.
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About a 5/10 of 10 performance from Northland against a very good Auckland team yesterday, some really good stuff mixed in with some average , on several occasions the same old culprits making the same old mistakes
Given this was the first hit out for the Taniwha , it’s gets a pass mark in terms of physicality in the forwards they stood up also taking into account who was missing in the backline
Set piece scrum was pretty even bar one scrum when Northland got well and truly beaten on the hit , line out operated well .One thing I will say the attack which was used looks really good , but you need the players in key positions to activate more accurately, I guess being the first hit out I should cut them some more slack
In the Forwards , Rob Rush is an absolute beast , put in a great 60 -70 minute shift ,Jonah Ma’u the longer the game went became more prominent and Saimoni Uluinakauvadra is absolute work horse , I’m really not sure if he’s a 7 though , half 6/8 ..
Wilton Rabolo can scrum no question , went on to the tighthead side in the 2nd half with Robb Cobb on the loosehead with Matt Moulds at hooker , the scrum looked rock solid
Allen Craig and Sam Caird were great value , workrate plus
In the backs Milo Harris ,Reihana and Moorby were all solid , Ranger still showing an uncanny ability to beat players one on one although it’s fair to say no longer has the legs especially when it comes to defending
Full credit to Waipu club player Ross Gladish , from London works as a teacher at Bream Bay College ,came into the squad on Sunday as cover for Tamati Tua , apart from being run over by Faletoi Peni , played very well considering the quality he was up against
A much improved 2nd half from the Taniwha after being down 22-5 at the break.
Just a bit of an update on the injury front and availabilityEslie Fono , Out for the season
Jordon Trainor foot stress fracture , this is not good possibly season ending
Heremaia Murray , possibly next next Saturday against Canterbury more likely week 2 against Southland
Tamati Tua , available next week against Canterbury
(stood down from yesterdays trial game ) due to being a dumb arse
Sam McNamara possibly available next week
Real concern is he’s played no club rugby
Rory Woods , should be available for either Round 1 or Round 2
Jack Goodhue available from Monday onwardsBlake Hohaia and Ross Gladish to be released
