Northland 2023
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@taniwharugby Moulds will be lucky to play, returning from achilles injuries are no easy feat, and 9 months return is fast. So Olsen is an insurance policy theyll need to get him back to NPC fitness etc.
Most of last years squad has been re-signed by all accounts so very few contracts to hand out.
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@muddyriver yep, which is why I'm hoping they are bringing a young fulla through, assume that will be Yates given he has been in and around the squad.
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Northland Ranfurly shield map...
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@Chiefy07 yeah timing is not ideal, I'd be surprised if anyone of high calibre will be available this short of notice??
Maybe Bryce Woodward haha, I believe he might have a lesser workload form his usual day in recent months...but seriously, no idea, guess there were other applicants last year, but again, likely all placed somewhere now too
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Definetly came as a shock but after chatting to a few people in the know its 100% a family decision
to move back to the US
Marty was absolutely gutted as he can see some unbelievable potential in the union moving forward
He had implimented a game plan that was going suprise many in the NPC and the players had bought into it big time
The players have taken the news well and as long the same pieces can be put in place by the new coaching group its bussiness as usualOne real plus,the union is close to nailing one of the best young coaches in the world as an attack coach ,cant devulge his name as i have sworn to secracy on this one but it would have fitted in nicely Marty Veales attacking philisophy
The reality is there are better coaches from other parts world who look at the game through a lense
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@Steven-Harris i guess alot depends on who the next head coach ends up being, because they need to share the same philosophies of how they want things to go.
What we saw of Veale last year was very much strong defence, sadly I dont think Konia's attacking game was able to take advantage of the chances our defence created.
I have been impressed with the quality of young players I have seen in recent weeks of club rugby, just need the right guidance at club and above to nurture and retain them in the game.
We are fortunate we still have the likes of Ross Wright, Rene, Justin Davies, Matich, Olsen, Hawkins et al still running around club rugby, not only providing mentors to the next generation, but no doubt driving them on the park whether on same team or as opposition.
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@kev there’s a couple options on the table , Tama Winiana who can play halfback or first five or Kobie Scutt both were part of the Taniwha futures team earlier in the season or a bolter could be Jade Stewart who has linked up with Mid Northern and has pushed Scutt to fullback
Stewart was picked up by Canterbury but has returned NorthRegarding the coach , I know the union is very close to naming a successor to Marty Veale
I do know the union have almost signed off on an attack coach who is considered to be one of the brightest young coaches in the world.
Having seen the team he coaches in the NH , I am super excited -
Not quite the news Northland were looking for ,Ireland U20 attack coach Mark Sexton ,brother of Johnny has had to decline a role with the Taniwha 2023
Sexton was released by the Irish Rugby Union to join Northland ,but Connach refused to release the outstanding young coach and re negotiated for a sum even Northland could’nt match
A lot of work had gone in behind the scene to get what would have been an outstanding pick up
Sexton is rated as one of the best up and coming young coaches in the Northern Hemphishere
Will be watching the Irish U20s with great interest in this years U20 world cup
The Northland head coach will be named early next weekOn some good news
Allen Craig has been bought into the Blues squad to replace Sam Darry
Heremaia Murray has joined the Highlanders
Pisi Leilua is with the Samoan 7s squad in England
Rory Woods into the NZ U20 squad
Tom Robinson has been released by the NZ Rugby -
@Steven-Harris said in Northland 2023:
Tom Robinson has been released by the NZ Rugby
stink, guess that means we wont see him with Northland this year!
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Unfortunately not
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@Steven-Harris thats a shame, injury has robbed us of the best of him, at all levels I think.
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@Steven-Harris Craig looked like a beast preseason. How big is he now?
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I see Northland are also looking for two assistant coaches - defence and set piece. Wonder if this means Graham Dewes is going to be new head coach or that he doesn't want to work with new coach or not wanted by new coach.
Surely so much coaching upheaval isn't going to be good this close to the season
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@Chiefy07 well if you believe some of what you hear the same players that have been running some sessions are still there
Yeah I rate Dewes technical ability, but will be concerned if he is appointed head coach, although doesn't he have some gig with Fiji too?
Yeah the coaching situation is not ideal, which means the union and fans will need to temper expectations for this season at the very least...haha yeah right, I aim low to meet expectations...
seriously though, the core of a very good npc squad still exists, many experienced players at both npc and super, I think top 4 still a goal, but the real goal is a home semi IMO, something that hasn't happened since the old 2nd div??
