Northland 2021

[Machpants]

@taniwharugby Ofa's bro(? Sure looks like him) too!

[taniwharugby]

@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.

[Machpants]

This post is deleted!

[taniwharugby]

This time @Machpants

[Steven Harris]

I am going to have a crack at possible 2021 Northland squad
Have put a hash tag beside players who might be in the mix and a@ beside possible bolters

Outside Backs

Brady Rush
Pisi Leila

#Noah Cooper
#Brody Lam
@ Aseri Vatunavuku (Sharks)

Jordon Hyland
Jone Macilai
Rene Ranger
Tamati Tua
Scott Gregory
Blake Hohaia
Rivez Reihana
Johnny Cooper
Dan Hawkins

Halfbacks
Wil Grant
Sam Nock
#Corey Taylor
@ilai Arona (Awanui)
#Mike Walsh

Loose forwards
Isileli Manu
Sam McNamara
@ Manny Snooks (Horahora)

Kara Pryor
Kane Jacobson or @Jonah Mau’u (Waipu)
Tom Robinson
Fano Funaki (Kamo)
Rob Rush

Locks
Josh Goodhue
Allen Craig
Liam Hallam Eames (Auckland) GT
Tevita Faukafa (Sharks)

Props

Leka Tuangafasi
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
Luatangi Li
Coree Te Whata Colley
@George Tuineau (Waipu)
Patrick Robertson (Sharks)

Hookers
Ross Wright
Jordon Olsen
Ben Tou
#Mason Hohaia

[Daffy Jaffy]

@steven-harris said in Northland 2021:

Liam Hallam Eames

Hallam Eames was with Auckland last season. Has he transferred or on loan?
Also glad to see Isileli Manu getting a crack at this level. He was stuck in a que of quality loose forwards in Auckland as he was coming up.

[Steven Harris]

@daffy-jaffy ,my understanding, he will sign with Northland permanently, to cover the loss of Sam Caird..they may have another issue if Robinson gets selected in the ABs . Hence the selection of Fano Funaki who can play 6 or lock , has superb skills in the air .

[taniwharugby]

@steven-harris Funaki just isn't tall enough to be a legit locking option, has been good for Kamo in the loose when he has played.

Have you heard anything about Rayasi? I assume he has picked up a significant injury as he hasn't played for several weeks.

While not all on Mason, but the kamo lineout was poor last week, and he just doesn't look big enough to me.

Are a few from the sharks should be knocking on the door, assume Matich has made himself unavailable as I expect he is a big part of the sharks form at 6.

[taniwharugby]

[Steven Harris]

@taniwharugby I agree regarding Fano ,probably more of a 6 than a lock ,Raikabula Moemoedonu is another option ..
Personally I know it does not goof not going with going local , But would have looked at Tate Evans from Harbour , tall athletic, good at lineout time

[taniwharugby]

@steven-harris guess they have drawn the line in the sand...still several weeks of club footy for them to get him up for a run around...

I am pretty sure when under Derren it was basically unless they were playing AB, Super, national age group, or a current NPC contracted player (obviously elsewhere) then must be playing club footy here for them to look at them

[Steven Harris]

Forgot to mention as a possible candidate for a Northland spot ..Saimoni Tukunia from Kerikeri, ex St Kentigern College winger who missed the trial because of injury ..

[taniwharugby]

@steven-harris named to play 13 for KK v OBM today.

[taniwharugby]

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

[taniwharugby]

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?

[Tim]

@taniwharugby said in Northland 2021:

I think he is still playing club rugby in Auckland?

Playing in tomorrow's final for Grammar TEC.

[taniwharugby]

@tim yeah seems the first 'non-name' one for a while who they have signed having not played club footy up here

[Duluth]

@taniwharugby

Who are the main players missing from last year?

Wiseguy, Caird, Matich, Levien, Matt Wright?

[Bovidae]

Jacobson?

[taniwharugby]

@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.