Looking forward to 2019...
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@taniwharugby hey buddy can’t disagree with too much you have said..
Really excites me to see that Northland are heading in the right direction ,today’s 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, he’s 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 he’s 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. -
@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,can’t 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 it’s 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 ,there’s 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 what’s seem a decent amount of depth .🙏 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 🤔😀😅😭😡..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. -
@Steven-Harris any whispers about those final signings?
Is Robinson signed as a lock or loosie?
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@taniwharugby
Just process of elimination.I am thinking Alex Gale tighthead from a Kamo.Sean Sweetman Lock from Wellsford or Lucas Albornoz might be rewarded..
And one more midfield back, Maybe James Cherrington from Mid Northern ,might have to refer the Wider training and Contracted squad..it would be real surprise if they went outside that squad.. -
@taniwharugby Robinson has been signed as 6 that can play lock.
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@Steven-Harris ah ok...
so a stab at a starting 15 assuming all fit?
Ross Wright, Jordan Olsen (C) Tu'ungafasi
Goodhue, Caird
Robinson, Matich, Stokes?
Nock, Debreczeni
Tua, Johnson
Gregory, Rae?, Hyland -
@taniwharugby ok then...
Ross Wright, Jordan Olsen (C) Tu'ungafasi
Goodhue, Caird
Robinson, Matich, Stokes?
Nock, Debreczeni
Tua, Johnson
Gregory,Leilua? Rae?, Hyland
