Looking forward to 2019...
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@Steven-Harris there are 2 players in the Blues dev side saying they are Northland players (Caird and cant recall the other, but from NH) they must be recent too
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@taniwharugby Sam Caird signed with Northland before Xmas
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The other one was Glenn Preston
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@Duluth I think that might be a typo..I would be very surprised if Glen Preston would leave harbour for Northland
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@Steven-Harris said in Looking forward to 2019...:
@Duluth I think that might be a typo..I would be very surprised if Glen Preston would leave harbour for Northland
Or an Aucklander writing up the list - who figured "Northland/North Harbour... same diff".
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Thanks for the update @Steven-Harris
Sounds like a fair bit of movement going on already. Be interesting to see how our squad shapes up.
Really hope we hang on to Matich. I think he’ll be a crucial part of our loose trio this year. Can’t afford to lose that experience.
I’m anticipating a young looking side this season with some new faces from within and outside the union.
I guess it’s the norm now to only get a couple of seasons out of most players with all the opportunities abroad. So the M10 cup sides put out different looking teams from year to year, with the small core of experienced grafters keeping the foundations.
Hope Ranger comes right, won’t bank on it though. Good opportunity for Gregory to stamp his mark now.
As a side note I ran into Regan Verney over the Xmas period and he said he was real keen to come back, Although he was worried about his injury. Be good to keep an eye on his progress. Rated him for Wellington, looked set for big things until he got hurt.
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Hearing that Dan Hawkins could be back in the frame for the 2019 season returning to Northland..thoughts Taniwha heads..?
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@Steven-Harris said in Looking forward to 2019...:
Hearing that Dan Hawkins could be back in the frame for the 2019 season returning to Northland..thoughts Taniwha heads..?
Wouldn’t be the worst thing to have him back. He’s a popular squad man that’s for sure. In terms of on field, as long as he’s not kicking from hand I’m happy. His last two seasons for Northland were quite good..a massive improvement from when he started.
Does this mean they now see J Deb as a fullback option?
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taniwharugbyreplied to Steven Harris on 5 Mar 2019, 07:57 last edited by taniwharugby 5 Mar 2019, 07:58
@Steven-Harris I see he has been playing in Irish 2B league? No idea on the level, but assume it would be round Club Footy level here?
Cant fault the guys effort and attitude, but IMO his very best games are usually 7/10 at this level, and while he is reasonably consistent, I've always thought he lacks the pace and kicking length to provide a genuine option from 10.
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@taniwharugby I like a first that straightens the attack with first few steps. Add pace, skill and courage and you have perfect mix. Dan was courageous but his first movement has always been across field. But put him in the mix and he could be a good squad man.
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Debra and Wiseguy in the 23
He'll do as injury cover
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@Duluth said in Looking forward to 2019...:
Debra and Wiseguy in the 23
He'll do as injury cover
Forgot about Wiseguy. He looked quite good in his brief showing last year. Puts a new spin on it for me in that case.
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@taniwharugby said in Looking forward to 2019...:
@Steven-Harris I see he has been playing in Irish 2B league? No idea on the level, but assume it would be round Club Footy level here?
Cant fault the guys effort and attitude, but IMO his very best games are usually 7/10 at this level, and while he is reasonably consistent, I've always thought he lacks the pace and kicking length to provide a genuine option from 10.
The last few years, Dan Hawkins has played in Japan for Mitsubishi DynaBoars (Top Challenge League; just won promotion to the Top League). He is still listed on their website and his name hasn't appeared yet on a list of players that are leaving, but that may still come, of course.
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@Stargazer when I googled what he'd be upto last night it came up with Sligo RFC in Ireland and there was a pic of him in a team photo, although looked to be an age group team, so possibly as coach
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@taniwharugby He has indeed played for Sligo; he arrived there in September 2011. In this article, you can read about his arrival.
As his first season with Northland was that of 2013, you'd have to assume he played for Sligo RFC for one or two seasons (2011-12 and maybe 2012/13).
Hawkins has played for the DynaBoars from the 2017/2018 season, so for two seasons.
His most recent game for the Dynaboars was their promotion/relegation game of 23 December 2018.
No Top Leauge in Japan this year because of the RWC, so non-test players will be looking for something else. That could explain his possible availability for Northland in 2019.
So if he's really in Ireland now (was it a recent photo you saw?), he may just spend a holiday there at his old club? Wouldn't it be a bit odd if he wants to play for Northland this year and not play club rugby in Northland? I guess you'll find out when the club rugby season in Northland kicks off.
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the internet is awesome for information until it isnt.
As I said, was just a quick peruse last night, didnt see anything about Japan (which is where I thought he had gone) and was only the Sliga stuff that came up, so assumed that was the most recent.
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NRU just announced on thier FB page that Matich has re-signed for 2019.
Yes!!
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@taniwharugby Great news!
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First Round of the Northland Club season for premier 1 teams starts today
A rematch of the Northland of last year’s final between Kamo v Waipu looks to be the feature game to be played at WaipuBoth teams have lost some players from last year or some that are not available until the 2nd round.
Great to see Englishman Alex Gale back at Kamo,from what I understand the tighthead prop has been training the house down with the Taniwha HP squad..a very big man at 135 Kgs,but was probably the best tighthead at club level in 2018.A couple of intersting newcomers to the Old Boys Marist team will be former Southland and Blues mid fielder Matt Johnson who has decided to try his luck in the North.
Waikato halfback formerly at Hamilton Boys High a few seasons back Harrison Levien who has settled in at OBM as well.
Credit to both these fellas as they have not been contracted but are both willing to impress via club rugby.One player I will be keeping an eye on is former Samoan under 20 and Auckland sevens player Pisi Leilua ,a tall rangy player who has exceptional footwork and pace who also has hooked up with Waipu
The further development of Wiseguy Faiane should take another step as well having joined his Northland Dev coach Graham Dewes at Waipu..great that he has hung around the Northland scene.
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Premier Results :home team named first
Waipu 21 Kamo 3
Otamatea 10 Old Boys Marist 45
Hora Hora 27 Kerikeri 14
Western Sharks 50 Hikurangi 7
Mid Northern 31 v Welsford 62Waipu proved to strong at home for an under powered Kamo outfit
The 2018 champions while creating a few opportunities where missing several front line especially in the pack and it was Waipu who dominated the forwards exchanges 2018 Northland squadman Temo Mayanavanua the standout.There were big wins for the Western Sharks who impressed Northland coach Derrin Whitcombe who was on hand with their organisation given it was round 1,the amalgamation with Kaihu Valley looks like it may pay some handsome dividends with really good numbers turning up to training .
Wellsford proved to strong for a Mid Northern outfit that is missing several frontliners,Wellsford fielding 5 Northland players,Paddy Joe Atkins,Jordon Hyland,Sean Sweetman and Brothers Matty and Ross Wright who packed down at number 8
One player to watch during the season will be Fijian winger Ratu Mara who caused Wellsford many a problem..
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@Steven-Harris did you get up for the game?
I see Laupepe was named at 10, assume Thoroughgood is injured? How'd Laupepe go?
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@taniwharugby had to rely on reports,Kamo had several personal missing
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@Steven-Harris Did Tamati Tua play this weekend?
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@Tim said in Looking forward to 2019...:
@Steven-Harris Did Tamati Tua play this weekend?
He wasn’t on he team list Kamo posted on Facebook.
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@Tim tua was’nt listed on the Kamo team sheet,
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I saw him at the NRU gym a fortnight ago and looked in good shape no visible limp or other injuries
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@Steven-Harris it’s good that these guys have come up to prove themselves in club rugby. Hopefully they play well.
Did Pisi Leilua play fullback or wing? -
@shack apparently had family thing on back in Samoa,there were a few Northland boys that did not take field yesterday .,hope to see a few more come into the frame over next few rounds.
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NRU page needs to update it's current contracted players...
a few gaps there...particularly in the backs, assume Wiseguy will (or should) feature with us being light at 10 and outside back.
Have heard Northland have fielded approaches from alot of managers citing thier player wants to play for Northland, but Whitcombe has knocked those back who simply want a Northland contract and are not interested in trying to play thier way in via Club Footy (unless they are of Super or NZ U20 quality)
2019 Current Contracted Players
Props
Ross Wright (Wellsford)
Ropate Rinakama (Waipu)thought he was off?
Jack Straker (Kamo)
Isileli Tu'ungafasi (Mid Northern)
Boyd Wiggins (OBM)Hookers
Matt Moulds (Otamatea)
Jordan Olsen (Mid Northern)Locks
Josh Goodhue (Kamo)
Tom Robinson (Kerikeri)
Temo Mayanavanua (Waipu)
Sam CairdLoose Forward
Kano Jacobson (Kamo)
Jaycob Matiu (Hora Hora)
Sam McNamara (Waipu)
Aorangi Stokes (OBM)
Matt MatichHalfback
Sam Nock (Kerikeri)
Jono Kitto (Hikurangi)back to UKFirst Five
Jack Debreczeni
Dan HawkinsMidfield
Tamati Tua (Kamo)
Scott Gregory (Hikurangi)
Blake Hohaia (Kamo)
Matt Johnson?? Confirmed or just playing club footy and trying to play his way in?Outside Backs
Jone Macilai (Awanui)pulled out?
Jordan Hyland (Wellsford) -
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@taniwharugby looking light on outside backs...with speed....
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@kev yep...assume Roberts-Te Nana will be back, I believe Matt Wright might still be available if required, but just couldnt commit to HP Squad?
Both Tamati and Scott are quick enough to play wing, so guess that adds to it, Wiseguy can play 15 too I believe?
Heard the HP Squad was up north over the weekend, doing some bonding and training stuff...sounded like it was an all weekend thing, but not sure how that would work with club footy in full swing?
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@taniwharugby looking through the club rugby reviews Cam gave Shelford Murray a good rap. So he is another to add to the mix. There is nothing like skilful player with pace. They always seem to have time - Jack Goodhue, Jared Payne. Hopefully some of this young talent makes their mark.
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Jordan Hyland has been called into Highlanders following Richard Buckmans injury.
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HP weekend away up at Puriri bay...doing some work for DOC by the looks
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Gutting to see him leave, but he has served Northland well, most Northland fans will no doubt feel he has had a bit of a raw deal at the Blues behind the legend that is James Parsons, but even so, now is a good time for him to go.
just wording in article, or has Moulds negotiated an early release from Northland? @Steven-Harris @Northlandallday
https://warriors.co.uk/2019/04/25/warriors-sign-blues-hooker-moulds/
Warriors have made Blues and Northland hooker Matt Moulds their seventh new signing for the 2019/20 season.
Moulds will become Warriors second signing from Super Rugby side Blues after wing Melani Nanai.
Moulds, 27, also plays for Northland alongside another new Warriors recruit, scrum-half Jono Kitto, and captained the province in the ITM Cup from 2015 to 2018.
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@taniwharugby The same media release also says this:
His strength and mobility have impressed Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons who is looking forward to Moulds’ arrival at Sixways in time for the start of next season.
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taniwharugbyreplied to Stargazer on 25 Apr 2019, 21:38 last edited by taniwharugby 25 Apr 2019, 21:40
@Stargazer yes I saw that too...he is/was signed for Northland for this season...which is why I queried if he been released given the crossover of M10 starting well before the start of the UK season, but finishing after.
I know Northland had been negotiating with another hooker, and also have heard Whitcombe rates the rookie hooker they bought into squad last year...Olsen will likely lead Northland this seaosn then.
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Good on Moulds for choosing to cash in. Don’t blame him at all. Can imagine his frustration at the Blues being stuck behind Parsons and Apasai. I scratch my head every time he’s left out of the 23. Yes, he has lineout problems, but I think he’s improved tenfold there from when he first started. Around the field he offers shitloads more than those other two.
All the best to him overseas, it’ll be good to hopefully see him back one day to finish his career in the Cambridge Blue.
As for the Northland front, I think we are well covered with Olsen. Hopefully Campbell Matthews comes through as a back up, or we manage to entice someone else with quality.
Who skippers now? As TR said, Olsen is a prime candidate. I’d also look at big red, Matich or even J Deb..
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