Northland 2021
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IMO the Northland coaches pissed Cooper around last year, I hope he comes back, but won't be surprised if he didn't.
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Nga mihinui o te tau hou ki a Koutou Katoa..
Some great news to start the 2021 season ..
Former St Kentigern College first five Rivez Reihana will be returning to Whangarei to link up with the Northland Taniwha for the 2021 season ..
He has signed for 3 years ..this continues a real drive from Northland Rugby Union to recruit Northland boys who have left the union to pursue rugby scholarships at more prestigious secondary schools ..
In the last year we have seen Allan Craig St Kentigern College and Johnny Cooper Westlake Boys High also return home ..
This is fantastic too see , kids that actually hail from the area that want to represent the Taniwha in front of their Whanau and friends ..
I do know of 2 other players who are super rugby players from Northland that are both on contracts with their respective Mitre 10 cup unions , one coming off contract at the end of the 2021 season who would both love to return home to play in the Cambridge Blue@Steven-Harris that's awesome. Testament to (from the outside) what looks like solid administration.
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@Steven-Harris that's awesome. Testament to (from the outside) what looks like solid administration.
@nzzp it’s been a long time coming , so much credit goes to the current administration who are working overtime as per the article attached
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@Bovidae no idea, he had surgery booked mid-way through the M10 Cup last year (only played a couple of games last season?) so maybe just decided to focus on career outside rugby?
I think he may have had a concussion in 2019?
@Gunner ?
Shame though, in his handful of appearances for us looked bloody sharp.
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So far we have confirmed:
Props:
- Corey Te Whata-Colley
- Luatangi Li
+2
Hookers:
- Jordan Olsen
+1
Locks:
- Josh Goodhue
- Alan Craig
+1
Loose forwards:
- Tom Robinson
- Kane Jacobson
- Rob Rush
- Sam McNamara
+2
Half backs:
- Sam Nock
+1
1st 5:
- Johnny Cooper
- Rivez Reihana
MId-field:
- Jack Goodhue
- Tamati Tua
- Scott Gregory
- Rene Ranger
- Blake Hohaia
Outside Backs:
- Jone Macilai
- Jordan Hyland
- Pisi Leilua
- Brady Rush
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@Bovidae no idea, he had surgery booked mid-way through the M10 Cup last year (only played a couple of games last season?) so maybe just decided to focus on career outside rugby?
I think he may have had a concussion in 2019?
@Gunner ?
Shame though, in his handful of appearances for us looked bloody sharp.
@taniwharugby said in Northland 2021:
@Bovidae no idea, he had surgery booked mid-way through the M10 Cup last year (only played a couple of games last season?) so maybe just decided to focus on career outside rugby?
I think he may have had a concussion in 2019?
@Gunner ?
Shame though, in his handful of appearances for us looked bloody sharp.
Retired for other ongoing medical reasons - wasn’t the concussions.
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updated list above with full contracts to be filled.
Have a list of Future Taniwha/Development contracts, there are spaces in those ones too, will put that in when I get the chance.
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updated list to add Brady Rush to outside backs.
7 spots left: Half back, 2 loosies, 2 props, hooker and lock to sign to main squad.
Expect these to come from club footy.
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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. -
@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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@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
@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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@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
@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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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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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)
@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.
