Northland 2021
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@steven-harris named to play 13 for KK v OBM today.
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Northland squad for 2021
Props
- Luatangi Li - Waipu
Leka Tu'ungafasi - Kamo
Coree Te Whata-Colley - Western Sharks
Kaliopasi Uluilakep - Old Boys Marist
George Tuineau - Waipu
Hookers
- Jordan Olsen - Mid Northern
Ross Wright - Wellsford
Mason Hohaia - Kamo
Ben Tou - Waipu
Locks
- Allan Craig - Mid Northern
Josh Goodhue - Morewa/United Kawakaka
Liam Hallam-Eames - Grammar Tech / Hikurangi
Tevita Fa'ukafa - Western Sharks
Stefano Funaki - Kamo
Loose Forwards
- Rob Rush - Mid Northern
Tom Robinson - Kerikeri
Sam McNamara - Waipu
Kara Pryor - Hora Hora
Raikabula Momoedonu - Waipu
Jonah Mau'u - Waipu
Isi Manu - Old Boys Marist
Halfbacks
- Sam Nock - Kerikeri
Will Grant - HoraHora
Corey Taylor - Keri Keri
1st 5
- Rivez Reihana - Kamo
Johnny Cooper - Mid Northern
Dan Hawkins - Hora Hora
Mid Field
- Jack Goodhue - Morewa/United Kawakawa
Tamati Tua - Kamo
Rene Ranger - Wellsford
Blake Hohaia - Kamo
Scott Gregory - Hikurangi
Outside Backs
- Jone Macilai - Awanui
Jordan Hyland - Wellsford
Pisi Leilua - Waipu
Brady Rush - Mid Northern
Noah Cooper - Old Boys Marist
- Luatangi Li - Waipu
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Given the Western Sharks have out muscled most sides all season and scored more points than any other team, bit surprising they only have 2 in there, and no Matich either!
I assume Liam Hallam-Eames was a special case as I think he is still playing club rugby in Auckland?
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@taniwharugby said in Northland 2021:
I think he is still playing club rugby in Auckland?
Playing in tomorrow's final for Grammar TEC.
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Who are the main players missing from last year?
Wiseguy, Caird, Matich, Levien, Matt Wright?
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@duluth had heard a rumour they were trying to get Caird back.
@Bovidae I believe Jacobson still having issues with his head, he has been heavily involved in Kamo coaching team (think he did re-sign with Northland this year...)
Levien retired through injuries I believe.
Matich is the odd one, huge part of the sharks success.
Wiseguy is playing in Auckland and struggled to get gametime so no surprise he left
Matt Wright retired I think.
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Great to see Rene Ranger appearing in NPC again. You hardly see long serving players appearing in the comp anymore - makes you nostalgic for the old days - pre professional - when the provincial squads were a lot older then than what they are now.
He debuted in 2006, so he must be the longest serving player in this year's Bunnings NPC?
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@number-10 said in Northland 2021:
Great to see Rene Ranger appearing in NPC again. You hardly see long serving players appearing in the comp anymore - makes you nostalgic for the old days - pre professional - when the provincial squads were a lot older then than what they are now.
He debuted in 2006, so he must be the longest serving player in this year's Bunnings NPC?
Liam Messam will be playing for Waikato again this season. Debuted in 2003.
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@taniwharugby I don’t know much about the new loose forwards from Waipu? Looks a solid enough team maybe a bit light for pace out wide. Hope Macalai is fit given he has had no game time. You would think that Matich has a lot to add to the squad in any sort of role. Someone they should keep in touch with.
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@kev I think I saw waipu play the least this year, maybe only 1 game, and that was round 1 or 2.
@Steven-Harris will agree that Matich was excellent in the final on Saturday, one huge try saving moment in the 1st half that he had no right to stop, but did through sheer determination.
Massive, massive engine.
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@taniwharugby Matich was sensational in the final on Saturday , he looked in excellent shape ..had a quick word to him and he was available, for the 2021 ,but I guess the Taniwha coaches have seen otherwise .
He’s a good bugger as well, and he would be more than handy if they have injuries.. -
@steven-harris said in Northland 2021:
Matich was sensational in the final on Saturday , he looked in excellent shape ..had a quick word to him and he was available, for the 2021 ,but I guess the Taniwha coaches have seen otherwise .
Strange decision. I also thought it was weird that he missed out on the starting XV so often in 2020.
Any idea what the logic is?
Is it that bullshit about wanting a larger player? He's more effective than most of the loosies selected and thats all that should matter
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@duluth yeah very strange decision not to include him, probably one of my favorite players of the past few years, so consistently high in effort, play and accuracy, I think at this level he is fine size wise, for super, maybe a few extra cm and kgs woulda helped, but I think he made a good fist of his limited minutes there too.
As I said above, the Sharks pack has been a strength this season, and Matich has been a huge part of it, no more so than the final!!
This coaching group continue to make some interesting decisions, so who knows what's going on!
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@duluth it’s definitely a case of going for more size , Isi Manu & Jonah Mau’u have got in on the back of really good club form , and the fact that Kane Jacobson has had to retire until his HIA is no longer a problem, so the back 7 to Kara Pryor has gone to Mau’u ..Manu will give them a more explosive number 8,Mc Namara’s development has been a little slow ..Fano Funaki deserves his place as he has hung around the union and been part of the development team and when he has filled has looked good ..more of a 6 than lock , but has sensational skills in the air ..
There’s a couple of players with a bit to prove in terms of Rob Rush and Sam McNamara …The more I think about ,Matich definitely unlucky ..
