Looking forward to 2019...
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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 Mouldsโ 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. Donโt blame him at all. Can imagine his frustration at the Blues being stuck behind Parsons and Apasai. I scratch my head every time heโs left out of the 23. Yes, he has lineout problems, but I think heโs 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, itโll 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. Iโd also look at big red, Matich or even J Deb..
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@J77 Olsen was Captain last year in Moulds absence, so think he is obvious (although he might be on Canada's radar for RWC...)
Matich would be my other option.
Also heard that Moulds will not be considered a foreign player in UK due to heritage? so in theory, if makes the transition well enough (as others have) could play for England...?
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@taniwharugby
UK heritages? -
taniwharugbyreplied to Northlandallday on 26 Apr 2019, 00:49 last edited by taniwharugby 26 Apr 2019, 01:03
@Northlandallday heard one report say he is not listed as a foreign player, so have assumed that could also make him eligible for England?
โIโm really excited to start a new chapter in my rugby career with Worcester. My UK heritage is something I am very proud of, so to be able to live in the UK and play in the Gallagher Premiership at a great club with great people is an amazing opportunity for me. Iโm really looking forward to working with everyone there,โ said Moulds.
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@J77 if Olsen gets called up to play for Canada I expect Ross Wright to be playing 2 for us, Matthews backing up and then someone else to be called in.
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@taniwharugby said in Looking forward to 2019...:
@J77 if Olsen gets called up to play for Canada I expect Ross Wright to be playing 2 for us, Matthews backing up and then someone else to be called in.
That could work! And he would also be a suitable captain. As would Matich and Goodhue.
Moulds qualifies for ๐ฎ๐ช and ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ.
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@J77 the Blues selection and development of players had been a shambles for years. Northland players struggle with selection with no one in the coaching and support staff. The Blues donโt rotate players despite being the worst performing franchise over many years. Too many of their 2nd and 3rd choice players never play but the first choice team is packed full of over rated players not performing that donโt compete for their place. Just really disappointed that Moulds hasnโt been given a real shot when the player in front of him is so average - deserved better.
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Sykes was back playing for Kamo on the weekend, but not named in either trial team...huge opportunity for Levien and Pittman I think with Nock possibly out for a part or all of the M10 Cup season now.
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@taniwharugby going to pop up for this trial game,I have been getting some goss on players to watch..
From what I believe OBM is building some really good depth and have attracted some good players from outside the region.. -
taniwharugbyreplied to Steven Harris on 15 May 2019, 21:38 last edited by taniwharugby 15 May 2019, 21:45
From what I have heard, OBM have a shit load of cash in the bank...you always hear from opposition clubs 'we never pay players' but they do, then another club says they dont, but someone else says they do...so taken with a grain of salt, but heard of one player who was in negotiations with OBM and another club and he told them outright why he went there.
We have a home game that day, so might try to get along too
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Researched a few the names we donโt know to much about.
Firstly itโs great to see a few names starting to filter through from the Northland under 19s.
Denver Patauawai who is a very solid prop that has being going really well for such a young guy and also Nikau Graham who has been running the cutter at first five at Kamo.
From what I have been told about Graham with the extra bow as a goalkicking looks a potential Mitre 10 Cup player of the future.I will start with a couple of new names in the forwards
Raikabula Moemoedonu is last yearโs Fijian under 20 skipper who can play 6 or 8 tall rangy is good athlete that has been going well for Waipu.
Mathew Elia ,famous Rugby League second name has a bit of pedigree ,was involved with NZ secondary schools rugby ,was in the NZ Development Under 17 squad back in 2010
which I guess makes him around 26 years old.
Can play any one of the 3 loose forwards coach but talking to Greg Shipton who overseas OBM rugby has real potential as a number 7 over 100kgs and 6 foot.
Played most of his rugby down in Christchurch and was on the cusp of cracking Canterbury ,has played for the Canterbury Development squad , but I guess when you have so many good players in that region, the next best thing is to move on..Good to see the net has also been cast far and wide which gives local players a crack.
Donโt know too much about these 2 Paora Allen from Otiria who plays lock and Likewise Trevor Attwood from OBM who has been putting in some great performances, has a huge engine with a good work rate ,both players are from the Bay of Islands.Donโt know to much about Richard Manuel from Kaitaia, Bodene Davis from Kaikohe ,both loose forwards and Abdale Weir a prop from Waipu..hopefully someone can fill in some blanks.
Just looking at the backs, itโs the outside backs thatโs exciting me the most.
Jonty Rae has looked extra good lining up at fullback for OBM
Tall and Rangy and good size 1.89 98 kgs can also play wing, has a very educated left foot which has good distance, can an also kick goals which is an extra string to his bow..
Having been part of Waikato 7s and Waikato Development back in 2017 he was very close to cracking Waikatoโs top side but had a season ending injury which required knee surgery ,fell off the radar and decided to head over to Ireland ..but only 24 heโs back in NZ and more importantly in the Taniwha frame..could be a real solution to the Northland fullback puzzle .Pisi Leilua we have spoken about before ,but it is great to seeing he has further pushed his claims by making the trial squad ,Philip Manako as well both are part of a Waipu back division that has been extra well..
Peniasi Malimali from Western Sharks is a Fijian boy who only just missed out on a place in the Fijian National 7s Team ,is a converted flanker has been likened to Sevu Reece in terms of power and physicality..really keen to see this guy in action
Good to see a couple of players returning James
Cherrington from Mid Northern, made the Taniwha squad a couple of seasons back, so Iโm guessing club form and taking on board a leadership role at his club placing him back in the frame .Emile Pittman impressed us all couple seasons seasons back, but never really caught a really good opportunity, with a 3 halfback yet to be decided and Mac Sykes having pulled out of the HP squad heโs probably in a straight battle with Wil Grant from Hora Hora who is a very tidy 9, has played for New South Wales Country and is tough as they come..reminds me of Steve Devine the former Blues halfback
Only player I donโt know too much about is the other halfback Cory Taylor from Kerikeri ,has come up from Christchurch.
Once again relying on someone to fill the gaps
Heading up to watch the trial on the 1st June, should be interesting -
@Steven-Harris will be interesting to see Nikau the kamo 10 outside Sykes, looked handy outside a struggling 9 early on, so Sykes might give him a shot to shine.
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@Steven-Harris got up to experience some North Zone club footy today. Watched Otiria v Rarawa at Ahipara. Paora Allen is a big unit, didnโt really show out as being overly physical, but having said that the standard of footy was poor. He was the only lineout option for Otiria and took every one.
He stood out like dogs balls in terms of physique, the rest were pretty much carrying beer guts and love handles!
I havenโt had the chance to get to many games this year up north so I couldnโt really fill you in on the other Far North prospects unfortunately.
Good to see Jone Macilai back running about too..
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Renata Roberts-Te Nana (outside back) re-signed with Northland for 2019, Aorangi Stokes and Sam McNamara (both Loose forwards) re-signed through to 2020
New signing, Harrison Levien (halfback) for 2019 season.
Scott Gregory recommitted to Northland through to 2022!
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@taniwharugby hope Renata stays fit. Looked good with limited time last year.
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@kev yeah I think he has a huge upside if he can get some solid game time, good pace, and balance.
Hearing good things about Jonty Rae though, looks a big strong runner, although they both play for OBM and last game I saw of them, RRT was at 10 (Rae wasnt playing that game)
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Really excited about the prospects of Jonty Rae,if this turns up trumps, the non signing Alaimalo could be a blessing.
Had a good chat last night to my cousin Waka Harris who coaches Kaikohe in the Bay of Islands.
Got some more information on Bodene Davis, apparently he has a younger brother by the name of Micheal who in my cousins words is an absolute mongrel and is potentially better than Bodene.
Micheal played league for Moerewa tigers and has surprised many with his transition to Union.
Currently out with a shoulder injury at the minute and is around 19-20 years old .
.Bodene is around 22,runs very good lines and 6โ3 is big for a 7, can be used in the lineout has superb hands.
According to my cousin his one weakness is he tackles a little on the high side similar to Kara Pryor..uses their body weight to ride down and pilfer.
He has mainly schooled up North but has been studying over last couple of years and put rugby on hold but is fired up and ready to see where the rugby journey takes him.
Both boys are Grandsons of Tass Davis who was local playing legend for Hokianga back in the halcyon dayโs of the Harding Shield (remember those days..)
Waka had some really high praise for Derrin & George getting out and about to watch rugby in the more rural areas not to mention turning up to help at a couple of practices ..
Kaikohe are going well,3rd in the North Zone comp,and he has seen a real improvement across the board with good competition -
@Steven-Harris we often see players drift in and out from the North Zone or move South. Be great to see a contingent of players selected from Northern clubs for both the main squad and the reserves.
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@kev some issues with the North Zone comp is the distance of travel, and then the gulf in quality, which is why most will drift south, but there is no denying there is talent a plenty there.
The other issue is then with how little they get paid to play for Northland, they will likely need to move to at least Kerikeri (although Kaikohe being strong will help too) or further south if they want to further thier careers...which then reduces the quality of the comp up North....
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taniwharugbyreplied to taniwharugby on 30 May 2019, 21:36 last edited by taniwharugby 30 May 2019, 21:37
@taniwharugby said in Looking forward to 2019...:
trial squads announced:
So form those teams, the follwing missing for a Blues dev game:
B Wiggins
T Mayanavanua
S Caird
W Faiane
T Tua
P LeiluaAssume Konia gone form coaching one of these teams too, although guess he could still do both
Shame for the sake of the game, but great for the guys involved.
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@taniwharugby totally agree, a nothing game for the Blues Dev squad...seriously, tomorrowโs Northland trial game means a hell of lot more to me..would have been good to see many of the best players running around at their best..
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as it turned out, most of those who played last night, played today.
As @Steven-Harris will attest to, were some damn good players on display today.
I was guessing who was who most of the time, but had most correct.
With some squally showers early on, patches of sunshine but a freezing southerly, game was still played at a good pace with some good skill on display with South Zone taking the lollies 21-19 (I think)
Players to stand out:
Leilua - big solid unit for an outside back, good pace, talks alot on defence too.
Rae - this guy impressed, had one very telling run beating a number of defenders, solid on d with his own game and organisation, and a decent punt on him, he and Leilua swapped wing to FB. ONe to watch for Northland I reckon.
Tua - looked good in the first half, looks to have bulked up a bit too.
HOhaia - best game I seen him play this year, strong running and defending.
Nikau Graham - kid looked handy behind and underpowered Kamo pack with average service from his 9 (before Sykes came back) , but looked good today, good punt on him, not afraid to mix it up on defence either!
Boyd wiggins is a big lad, started a bit slow and he got dominated early on (although found out he had copped a stray boot or somethign early on to his head and had a massive egg on it) but worked his way into the game and looks a good prospect
Caird - got through a ton of work, could be a very good signing for NOrthland
JOhnson - didnt stand out on offence, but organises and talks well on d, and a big strong lad
MAcilai - looking a bit unfit, but still has it, step, accelaration, gas, even put in a huge effort on defence a couple of times, promising signs!
All the halfbacks had thier moments, slick passing (and some poor passing) with both packs gaining ascendancy and then losing it...A few others showed patches of talent, but overall thought it was a good hitout, gonna be some handy players missing out on contracts this year, but our dev side should be pretty strong.
am sure steven will add to this at some point
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@taniwharugby hey buddy canโt disagree with too much you have said..
Really excites me to see that Northland are heading in the right direction ,todayโs game highlighted to me that many of the local club players are lifting their levels wether you play in the main premier A section or the North or South zone comps.
The players who came from the various competitions all bought their A games and those even from the lesser club sides impressed.
Talking to George Konia at games end, heโs was extremely pleased with what he saw and he and DW will definitely have a couple difficult decisions in terms of whom to select or leave out..From what I could gleam, there is still an opportunity for 3 outside backs..Pisi Leilua definitely put his hand up today..tall,solid,quick and extremely strong he was always looking for work and featured in a couple of strong breaks..Jonty Rae who started on the wing looked really good when given space, has a very solid left boot which would be more than handy in an exit situation..
Jone Macilai still posses the ability to beat players and was always dangerous with ball in hand
We know what heโs capable of but is probably in a race against time to get up to speed in terms of conditioning..several KGs to heavy at the minuteThe scrum battle was very even, with tightheads Alex Gale and the contracted Boyd Wiggins impressing ..
Sam McNamara looks a few Kgs heavier and looked good ,
Jared Byrnes from OBM was into everything, very physical at Breakdown and accurate on the tackle..really impressed me. -
taniwharugbyreplied to Steven Harris on 1 Jun 2019, 09:21 last edited by taniwharugby 1 Jun 2019, 09:41
@Steven-Harris yeah McNamara is a big unit, could slot in as a shorter power lock as well.
Was Wiseguy even there today?
Jordan Olsen was playing at 8 today, looked pretty damn solid.
Slot in our other contracted players and super rugby players and things looking, er, alright I guess...
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@taniwharugby Olsen was bloody awesome when he came on at 8..always made ground on the carry..!
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After the High Performance Programme concluded with an internal trial game at Hora Hora on Saturday 1st June the Northland coaches have named a Mitre 10 Cup Wider squad.
The last contracts for the 35 man squad will be secured over the next month before the team goes fulltime on the 11th July.
Mitre 10 Cup Wider Squad
Prop
R Wright - Contracted (Wellsford)
J Straker - Contracted (Kamo)
T Stevens (OBM)
I Tu'ungafasi - Contracted (M Northern)
B Wiggins - Contracted (OBM)
A Gale (Kamo)
B Abdale-Weir (Waipu)Hooker
J Olsen - Contracted (M Northern)
C Matthews (Hikurangi)
PJ Atkins (Wellsford)
N Hyde (W Sharks)Lock
T Mayanavanua - Contracted (Waipu)
S Caird - Contracted (OBM)
L Albornoz (Waipu)
J Goodhue - Contracted (Kamo)
S Sweetman (Wellsford)Loose Forwards
T Robinson - Contracted (Kerikeri)
S McNamara - Contracted (Waipu)
M Matich - Contracted (W Sharks)
K Jacobson - Contracted (Kamo)
J Byrnes (OBM)
S Uluinakauvadra (Waipu)
J Matiu - Contracted (Hora Hora)
A Stokes - Contracted (OBM)Halfback
S Nock - Contracted (Kerikeri)
H Levien - Contracted (OBM)
C Taylor (Kerikeri)First Five
J Debrecezeni - Contracted
D Hawkins - Contracted (OBM)
T Smith (Kerikeri)
N Graham (Kamo)Mid Field
T Tua - Contracted (Kamo)
B Hohaia - Contracted (Kamo)
J Cherrington (M Northern)
M Johnson - Contracted (OBM)
R Ranger - Contracted (Wellsford)
J Goodhue - Contracted (UK)Outside Backs
P Leilua (Waipu)
R Roberts-Te Nana - Contracted (OBM)
J Hyland - Contracted (Wellsford)
P Malimali (W Sharks)
S Murray (Kamo)
S Gregory - Contracted (Hikurangi)
Jonty Rae (OBM)With 26 x players contracted that leaves about 9 x spaces left to fill some good room to debate,
My final 9 prediction
P Leilua
C Taylor
T Smith
J Rae or P Malimali
S Sweetman
P J Atkins
A Gale
J Byrne or S Uluinakauvadra
Unknown guy ,sort of,canโt say..! -
Northland Bs Wider Squad
Prop
M Tulioma (Waipu)
H Richardson (W Sharks)
D Patua (OBM)Hooker
Z Anderson (Kerikeri)
B Tou (Waipu)Lock
T Attwood (OBM)
P Allen (Otiria)Loose Forwards
R Moemoedonu (Waipu)
F Funaki (Waipu)
H Jurlina (Eastern)
B Davis (Kaikohe)
S Windleborne (Awanui)
M Halapio (Wellsford)Halfback
E Pittman (Waipu)
I Arona (Hikurangi)
W Grant (Hora Hora)First Five
K Wiki (OBM)Midfield
N Warnock (Wellsford)
M Miller (Kerikeri)Outside
P Drummond (Kerikeri)
P Manako (Waipu)
J Macilai (Awanui)
M Tuatagaloa (Awanui)Not a big squad named but I would imagine several will drop down once the main 35 Mitre 10 Cup are named..
Some real quality in the Dev squad, shows depth is starting to come through. -
@Steven-Harris You must be well off for outside backs if J Macilai (Crusaders? & Awanui) can only make your Northland Bs Wider Squad
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@Higgins he would probably be in the main group if he came back in reasonable condition.
I was at the trial on Saturday, (match report is on the Northland website)
Macilai has still got the ability to beat players, but he is so out of condition itโs not funny..
The union tried to help him out at the beginning of the year with a programs along with an opportunity to train with the HP squad but he declined stating he was gonna just play club footy..
But to answer your question ,thereโs some talented outside backs running in Northland club footy at the minute that are ticking all the required boxes.There looks to be much more depth in Northland rugby this season, but I will hold the phone a bit and see how we go.
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@Steven-Harris good write up on the Northland page.
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@taniwharugby it just feels like in terms of planning we are way ahead of where we need to be 2 months out, along with whatโs seem a decent amount of depth .๐ there are no injuries..!
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@Steven-Harris yeah I will temper my excitement at some of these players with the fact I have been burnt with optimistic thoughts too many times!
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@taniwharugby ๐ค๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก..the normal range of emotions in order one goes through during a season of supporting the Taniwha.
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Northland have announced a group of signings for the 2019;Mitre 10 Cup Season
Mathew Johnson OBM. (Midfielder)
Pisi Leilua Waipu (Fullback)
Tom Smith Kerikeri (First Five)
Corey Taylor. Kerikeri (Halfback)
Jonty Rae. OBM (Fullback/Wing)
Paddy Jo Atkins. Wellsford. (Hooker/Prop)
Nikau Graham Kamo (First Five) Apprentice ProgramBlake Hoahaia has extended his contract through until the end of 2020 season .
Really excited about having Mathew Johnson (Former Southland and Blues Midfielder part of the Taniwha set up
Pisi Leilua is in the Solomon Alaimalo mould is a very big quick fullback ,played sevens for Auckland
I especially like the look of Jonty Rae, tall rangy player who can play fullback or wing with a super big left foot, similar to James Lowes ,great for exits
One things for sure Northland will probably be fielding one of the biggest backlines in the Mitre 10 Cup.Fantastic to see the highly promising first five Nikau Graham bought in on an Apprentice programme, this kid looks the goods, played for the Northland under 19s last year .
Only 3 places to fill,
Tight head Prop,Lock and another Midfielder.
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