Northland cub rugby 2025
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Nothing seems to be going right for me getting to games...this week, Auckland traffic played a part...
Anywhoo...
Kamo have had back to back thrashings, concediinf over 120 points in the last 2 games, this week at the hands of a ruthless Mid Northern.
The loss sees them drop from 2nd to 6th, while MN just keep on scoring points, I can only see the Sharks or Moerewa/United Kawakawa getting past them, both also with good sized packs.
All other results went to script too, OBM picked off Wellsford in Wellsford, MUKK destroyed Hora Hora at HH while Kerikeri got over Hikurangi at Hika.
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Only 3 games this weekend
HH hosted the Sharks Friday night, as expected, the Sharks were too strong winning 52-10.MN cemented thier spot at the top beating 2nd place Moerewa/United Kawakawa 36-22, although MUKK did lead for large parts of the game and were ahead with 5 to go, but 2 quick tries by scoring machine Petero Ratumaitavuki to add to his 3 earlier ones sealed the deal.
I went along to watch OBM host Wellsford, with the home side just too strong across the park, winning 61-12 and sneaking into 2nd spot on the ladder.
A few players that are meant to be playing in the dev squad this week looked sharp, none moreso than OBM hooker Viktor Tevita, could be a shot at the full squad with a strong all round game.
Petero Ratumaitavuki is also suiting up for the dev side v Auckland, will be interesting to see how he goes, a raw talent. Not a big.guy, but good pace. Just had a quick look back, seems he has bagged 19 tries this season (maybe a couple more as the app has 3 tries for MN listed as 'team event' rather than name) but still has a long way to go to pass Fetu'u Vainakolo's Northland club record of 37 in 2007...although with 4 games plus finals to go...
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Big upset of the weekend was Old Boys Marist tipping over Moerewa United Kawakawa at home, a low scoring affair with the visitors winning 13-0, this consolidated thier spot in 2nd.
The Western Sharks had a solid win over Kerikeri to keep in touch with OBM as they sit in 3rd.
Kamo finally got back in the winners circle getting past bottom of the table Hikurangi, while Wellsford hosted and defeated Hora Hora in the other game.
Mid Northern had the bye, but sit well clear at the top of rhe table, the real battle looks to be the 4th spot with MUKK, KK and Kamo all battling.
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Results all to script this week, concerningly is the gap between the sides this year, when only 2023 saw even the bottom side, Waipu still competitive, whereas this year, MN sit well clear of the pack and then I think OBM, Moerewa United Kawakawa and the Sharks are all capable of.beating one another while the next lot l, Kamo, Kerikeri (more competitive this year at least) are next, while Wellsford, HH and Hikurangi sit at the foot of the table.
MN kept HH scoreless 69-0
KK got up over Hikurangi 48 - 26
Sharks beat Kamo 31-15 (Matich named at centre)
Moerewa/United Kawakawa dealt to Wellsford 59-0
Old Boys Marist had the bye
Mid Northerns Ratumaitavuki only got 1 try this week, but over last weekend picked up 3 from the round 5 catch up game, so by my count, 23 tries.
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RR completed, MN remain unbeaten.
They face Old Boys Marist in semi 1, who they beat 52-0 last week.
The Western Sharks hosting Moerewa United Kawakawa in the other has potential to be a cracker of a match, 2 good sides, and the Sharks winning by 3 in thier RR match up.
Can't see MN not making the final, and if I were to put money down, I'd say they will face the Sharks, who were losing finalists last year after upsetting MN in the semi.
Not sure the games played, wins etc stack up, especially with 1 side playing more games...Sharks points don't seem to tally either, 8 wins, even 3 losing double.BP games and 5 for a.bye doesn't add up...
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By all accounts a couple.of good games in the semi finals, Old Boys Marist put up a much better fight than 2 weeks ago, but MN still too strong.
The Sharks home advantage helps them make back to back finals, but can they go 1 better than last year?
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A few of the club sides have upped thier social media game this year, particularly the Western Sharks have had some good content through the year.
In preparation for this weekends final between Mid Northern (aka Road Runners) and the Western Sharks
IG links not working
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@taniwharugby said in Northland cub rugby 2025:
A few of the club sides have upped thier social media game this year,
Everyone is burning their free AI image generation over here. It is producing some interesting stuff
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@taniwharugby said in Northland cub rugby 2025:
IG links not working
Instagram has been having outages today. The links will work when they come back
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Went along to the final today, in front a big big crowd and good conditions (aside from an early sun shower) where an understrength Western Sharks were facing a near full strength and unbeaten Mid Northern.
Game started promisingly enough with the teams trading tries in the 1st 15 mins, but by half time, MN had all but sealed the deal at 28-7.
Credit to the Sharks who kept fighting despite the game being out of reach, with the score 42-12 with 5 to go but 2 quick tries was the icing for.the 2025 champs as they were comprehensive in thier 56-12 win.
MN lost thier most recent northland signed player Matt Letoga early on, probably gone for the npc season I'd say, but they shifted Rob Rush to 8 and didn't miss a beat.
For MN, young 9 Ben Love was lively, providing good ball for his side to run with, Zac Shanks at 7 was everywhere, while midfield Reuben Stewart showed some silky passing skills off both hands.
For the Sharks, Jack Bradley was excellent, started at 9, moved to 15 in the 2nd half and was a key part in keeping the score from blowing out, I'd go as far as saying he was the best player out there, definitely in the 2nd half anyway.
His combination with lock playing wing, Justin Friedrich in the 2nd spell saw them making breaks and metres almost at will when MN kicked it to them but for some great cover defence to stop a couple of superb breaks.
Congrats to MN on the trophy and an unbeaten season, hard luck Sharks, runners up again.
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@taniwharugby thanks for all your club posting during the year much appreciated.
Always thought Mid Northern were gonna take some beating given the personal they had available.
Commiserations to the Sharks who had 2 teams in the finals but definitely outgunned in the final
They did incredibly well to get into the final given they had to dig deep into what’s available around the club
Would have been a tough ask for Matt Matich to move into centre and Justin Frederick’s to fill on the wing
Full credit to both for answering the call
It’s shame Aseri who was out most of the season, when he’s fit he’s possibly the most dangerous back in Northland
but also missing Inoke Tavutu who seemed to drop off the radar ,Tevita Faukafa who has moved out of the areaIf you compared the team that played Kamo a year ago it has a very different look about it
Hoping there will be some effort put into strengthening the club scene especially around some of the clubs that struggled
Hoping Hora Hora get it together and also Wellsford and Otamatea work out their marriage doesn’t work -
@Steven-Harris IMO the Sharks missed Matich's work in those 1st phases and close to the rucks.
Friedrich was excellent in the 2nd spell though, after a poor 1st 40.
I am never a fan of NRU interfering with players going to clubs, but I would hope they try to persuade clubs from 'poaching' players.
MN did not need Letoga at 8, a few of the young fellas who joined.them this year have moved from thier club they grew up at, youncan understand people moving for success and a pathway to higher levels.
Not sure how you persuade them to stay at other clubs, but you need a stronger all round comp otherwise it will see other clubs weaken further.
