Northland 2021
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@taniwharugby said in Northland 2021:
far we have confirmed:
Props:Corey Te Whata-Colley
Luatangi Li
*(Leka Tuangafasi) Future Taniwha has the pedigree having been in the Auckland system
*(Kaliopasi Uluilakepa) Future Taniwha , former NZ under 20, made his debut for Wellington back in 2018 as an 18 year old ..despite carrying some bulk , he was really impressed in the 2 games against the Blues .
*(Tyler Kearns) was in the Taniwha squad last year , but fell out of favour .Hookers:
Jordan Olsen
+1 *(Mason Hohaia) came into the squad last year as injury cover- (Matt Moulds ) could see him in a shock return to NZ.
- (Paddy Joe Atkins ) ....?.
Locks:
Josh Goodhue
Alan Craig
+1 *(Terepai King) was very solid for the Future Taniwha , a top club season could see him make the cut .
*(Fano Funaki ) more of 6 than a lock , but a talented player in the air .Loose forwards:
Tom Robinson
Kane Jacobson
Rob Rush
Sam McNamara
Options
+2 *(Kara Pryor) will not return to NZ until the 2nd week of the Mitre 10 Cup ..very slim chance of seeing Kara in Cambridge Blue in 2021
*(Matt Matich) still offers plenty of experience if required
*( Isi Manu ) The OBM number 8 was the outstanding player over 2 games for the Futures Northland team , looks leaner and fitter .
*( Raikabula Moemoedonu) the former Fijian under 20 number 8 has the physique to grace the Mitre 10 cup , but will need stay injury free during the club season to keep himself in the frame .Half backs:
Sam Nock
+1 *(Wil Grant) was back in Australia, not sure on his status or if is returning to Horahora
*(Jordon Kemp ) a very good season could see this talented youngster make the cut
1st 5:Johnny Cooper
Rivez Reihana
*(Dan Hawkins )Does have experience , but will his body hold up ..?MId-field:
*(Kalani Going ) was in the squad in 2020 as injury cover
Jack Goodhue
Tamati Tua
Scott Gregory
Rene Ranger
Blake HohaiaOutside Backs:
Jone Macilai
Jordan Hyland
Pisi Leilua
Brady Rush
*(Fritz Rayasi) brother of Salesi Rayasi ..got good size , never really saw enough him during the Futures Northland games. -
@steven-harris I might go and watch HH v Kamo on Saturday, so will see if Grant is there.
Be very surprised (and annoyed) if Hawkins is re-signed, but looking at the numbers, they are only carrying Reihana and Cooper (assume Rush can play 10 too) and with Rush, they have filled thier outside back compliment too, particuarly with Tua and Gregory able to play wing too.
Worryingly, it looks like Leilua & Gregory are the main FB options (despite GRegory being named as a mid-fielder), although Rush could go there, as could Cooper or Reihana
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@taniwharugby I am very surprised Pisi has been re signed especially after watching the 2 games just completed..makes a lot of unforced errors ..which reminds me of last year ..really nice guy ..he and Blake Hohaia owe the coaching staff big time ..I stand to be corrected
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@steven-harris he has the physical attributes to make the step up, looked to be making solid progress until that moment v Otago where he threw it to himself and he just spiralled from there.
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Hoping Gregory is put at 12 and stays there all season (if Jack G isn’t released for the odd game).
Reihana is also a FB if I’m not mistaken? Cooper for 10 and Rivez at the back or potentially vice versa.
Hohaia in last chance saloon along with Leilua. Hope they step up.
Good to see Jordan Hyland going another round, thought he might have called time on his career.
Provided Tom Robinson is not with AB’s (slim chance considering he can’t crack the Blues starting lineup!), would like to see him as skipper. No disrespect to Olsen, love his play, but just don’t see him vocal enough especially to refs on iffy calls.
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I really hope the Northland coaches have been watching the Highlanders games.
After watching Blake Hohaia last week having little impact at club footy and how Gregory is quietly going about his workat super rugby, if it hadn't been clear before, it is now that he needs to be in our mid-field (and never at FB)
With it certain we won't see Goodhue, I hope they go for a Tua-Gregory midfield, with Ranger off the bench, or even Hyland (although if they were gonna put him in the midfield it would happened by now)
I reckon they should be looking at Tom to lead as well (not that I have anything against Olsen)
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@taniwharugby agree with all your points above.
It’s been a massive oversight from the coaches to see Gregory doesn’t belong at FB/wing. He should have been midfield from the word go last year. But for some reason they kept persisting with guys like Hohaia (at least until he got injured).
Gregory is developing nicely as a 12. Not flashy, just that direct workaholic type guy that’s almost like an extra loose forward. He’s involved in numerous clean outs at rucks etc, which often goes unnoticed compared to your more profile type 12s.
Gutted for Tom Robinson last night, would like to have seen him up against Frizzel which would have had the AB selectors interested. Frizzel obviously takes the points by default, which may leave Tom out of the reckoning. With that, yes, he should be leading Northland this year.
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@j77 Still think Tom can make it as a blindside lock option for ABs but so many good players that fit that bill its a lottery. Staying on the field would help.
Really disappointed with Nocks treatment this year. He is now a much more complete player - runs a bit, puts his body into contact situations ( ruck, defence ), sped up his clearance, ...his pass was always top notch, and kicking has always been solid. Kirwan keeps highlighting 2 kicks in one game which weren’t great but that for me was a one off. Sometimes players just don’t click with coaches, and it seems they like they prefer Ruru’s fitness (not sure he serves his outsides as well as others) and Christie has come from Ta$man.
Goodhue is concussed again and I hope he has the best advice. I think the Blues scrum is best when he locks and he has been solid around the field. When he is fit, he is a starter.
The Blues have underperformed this year and again the coaching/selections must be questioned. Akira looks like he is struggling again.
Gregory / Tua midfield is the right combination for Northland. Tua looked really good last year prior to injury. Everyone knew Gregory was struggling and yet they let him choose his position as fullback. Really? Hope they can stay fit. We have two good young first fives - one could move out to 2nd at a squeeze. Do we get Rush back for FB? Or will he be 7s - presume not in this COVID world, post Olympics.
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@kev said in Northland 2021:
Goodhue is concussed again and I hope he has the best advice. I think the Blues scrum is best when he locks and he has been solid around the field. When he is fit, he is a starter.
Yea his head is a worry alright.
Think his scrummaging is good and is generally underrated
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Very concerned about the state of our midfield..I really think we missed an opportunity to sign outstanding young midfielder who is the NZ Sevens squad ..Moses Leo is being courted by both Southland and Otago,with Otago the likely favourite to win his signature..
I know there will be some that will say it defeats the purpose of going local ,but after speaking to several people who know of Moses which includes 3 current Northland players who have played with him ..It’s very hard to ignore ..
Blake Hohaia has to fire this year ..ticking a whole lot of Gym tick boxes is one thing ,finding your ceiling at higher is another thing ..Tua and Gregory have had very limited time together and they should be your starting pairing ,2 x wasted years running around at fullback and wing in my opinion ..lot of time for our coaching staff but I differ when it comes to Gregory..
Ranger to me would be better to start off the bench ..
Hope I am totally wrong and happy to eat plenty of humble pie -
@steven-harris Blake had a good 10 mins yesterday helping Kamo overcome a 17 point deficit...watching Ranger last week, dominating facets of play, as he should, whereas I never see Hohaia dominate a club game. But yea, we must start a Gregory/Tua or Tua/Gregory midfield.
I will lose my shit if they start Gregory at 15 again.
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@taniwharugby you and me both brother ..
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new signings for 2021
- Dan Hawkins (58 caps) Hora Hora
- Isi Manu (new) Old Boys Marist
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@taniwharugby Ofa's bro(? Sure looks like him) too!
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@machpants Ofa?
I thought he was related to Nasi and Taniela, but can't see anything that says that.
He had a big contingent (about a dozen or so) of his family up here supporting him last week in the trial..
Ofa Tu'ungafasi's younger brother Leka has been playing for Kamo.
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