Northland 2023
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Northland development squad trial teams.
Northland Rugby are thrilled to announce the trial team selections for the upcoming Northland Men’s Development Team rugby season!
Players have been selected through being in a current Northland High Performance programme in 2023 or through the Senior Talent Identification System in which their local rugby community can feed into our Talent Identification Spotters during the club rugby season.
The Trial will take place at the Okaihau Rugby Club on Saturday 29th July, 12:00pm. Players will be contacted by the appointed trial team coaches to confirm their selection attendance for the trial and availability for the upcoming Northland Development Programme.
The two trial teams are a based off a “club of origin” (North and South Zone selection) However, to give all players a better opportunity and more game time this may not be the case in some playing positions.
South Zone Trial Team
Trinity McQueen, Zac Willy, Tevita Faukafa, Aseri Vatuinaruku, Lucas Payne (Western Sharks) Valance Yates, Jack Colbourne (Mid Northern) Ben Monaghan, Pat Elia, Iose Brown (Kamo) Sage Walters-Hansen, Brady Foster, Jayden Kemp, Shaye Te Haara (Wellsford) Matt Letoga (Hikurangi) Ross Gladdish, Latham Aull, Daniel Mau’u, Deon Mau’u (Waipu) Tahi Subritzky, Connor Guest (Hora Hora) Mitchell Reader, Austin Ryburn (Old Boys Marist)North Zone Trial Team
Kora Kora, Oneal Rongo, Lucas Goodin, Colt Edwards, Levi Clark (Kerikeri) Mason Hohaia, Nikau Graham, Puru Aboagye, Donald Boyd, Kobe Walters, Dylan Hook (Kamo) Craven Martin, Bodean Davis, Ilai Arona, Ryan Nankivell, Josh Davis (Ngati Hine Moerewa/UK) Oliver Hilton Jones, Shiloh Heta, (Awanui) Chad Boyed (Mid Northern) Troy Harvey (Eastern) Jachim Tumu-Makara (Taiamai Ohaeawai) Coree Te Whata-Colley (Panguru) Tomi Baker (Kaitaia)Unavailable for selection
Tevita Nabura, Aaron Kelly, Liam Colley, Sam Parkes (Kerikeri) Terepai King, Zac Shanks (Mid Northern) Melino Fotu (Hora Hora)Northland NPC Injury Cover
Blake Hohaia (Kamo) Hayden Jurlina (Eastern) Remsy Lemisio (Mid Northern)Post the trial a 32-man squad will be named for the Northland Development Team which will compete in the Northern Regions Coronation Shield.
Sat 29th July -North v South Development Trial @ Okaihau Rugby Clun
Sat 19th August v Auckland v Counties v North Harbour (Pre-Season) @ tbc (away)
Sat 26th August v Counties Manukau @ Kaiwaka Sports Complex
Sat 2nd September v Taranaki @ Taupiri Rugby Club
Sat 9th September v Bay of Plenty @ Pohe Island, Whangarei
Sat 16th September v Auckland @ tbc (away)
Sat 23rd September v North Harbour @ tbc (away)
Sat 30th September -Coronation Shield Finals Day @ tbc (away)Article added: Sunday 23 July 2023
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A couple of names that stand out as missing are Nathan Salmon and Kiwi Duncan, so I assume/hope they are involved in some other age group side, although you'd think thier names would be in the unavailable list, LIam Chapman is another talented young player who is absent.
I heard Zac Shanks needs shoulder surgery, unsure why Foto is unavailable, possibly having ongoing concussion issues as I think this is why he missed the latter part of HH season.
Great to see Mitchell Reader & Donald Boyd in the trial squads though.
Corey Te Whata-Colley, man if this guy had real drive to play, he could be playing super rugby.
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A couple of names that stand out as missing are Nathan Salmon and Kiwi Duncan, so I assume/hope they are involved in some other age group side, although you'd think thier names would be in the unavailable list, LIam Chapman is another talented young player who is absent.
I heard Zac Shanks needs shoulder surgery, unsure why Foto is unavailable, possibly having ongoing concussion issues as I think this is why he missed the latter part of HH season.
Great to see Mitchell Reader & Donald Boyd in the trial squads though.
Corey Te Whata-Colley, man if this guy had real drive to play, he could be playing super rugby.
@taniwharugby said in Northland 2023:
Your not wrong
Corey Te Whata-Colley, man if this guy had real drive to play, he could be playing super rugby.
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A couple of names that stand out as missing are Nathan Salmon and Kiwi Duncan, so I assume/hope they are involved in some other age group side, although you'd think thier names would be in the unavailable list, LIam Chapman is another talented young player who is absent.
I heard Zac Shanks needs shoulder surgery, unsure why Foto is unavailable, possibly having ongoing concussion issues as I think this is why he missed the latter part of HH season.
Great to see Mitchell Reader & Donald Boyd in the trial squads though.
Corey Te Whata-Colley, man if this guy had real drive to play, he could be playing super rugby.
What’s the depth like at prop? What’s your opinion on Northland signing a prop from Brazil?
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What’s the depth like at prop? What’s your opinion on Northland signing a prop from Brazil?
@Duluth in an ideal world, they dont, but who knows if it turns out to be a good thing, have heard he is in great shape and incredibly strong.
There are some young guys running about who have potential, but so far just havent been given alot of opportunity (JP Pont-Bellamy who was in Blues age group squad last year, I just noticed is missing from the trial) are quite a few props in the trial squad, and Remsy Lemisio (Mid Northern) who is injury cover in the NPC squad is a prop, he has promise too, looks a strong powerfully built player.
Corey Te Whata-Colley is a talented player, just lacks drive and work ethic, from what I heard, he hadnt been responding to contacts from the HP Squad, then one day out of the blue turns up ready to go...I expect if he has any decent level of fitness, and we have injuries he will be called back in, although probably shouldnt...
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What’s the depth like at prop? What’s your opinion on Northland signing a prop from Brazil?
@Duluth chatted to the CEO of Northland rugby yesterday, apparently Wilton Rebolo has fitted in like a glove with the Taniwha Group , immensely strong and in superb condition what has surprised a few is his ball skills .
Rebolo was very much a Marty Veale selection as he had this player under him at New York in the MLR .
It’s fair to say there’s a few in the north that aren’t overly happy , but to be honest there’s a couple young props that are still around a year away Tahi Subritsky from Hora Hora a tight head who only changed to Rugby from league back in 2020 was impressive in the Futures tournament back in FebTrinity McQueen Western Sharks is also one they see as long term project as well as Craven Martin UK Moerewa
But as we know big difference in level between club and NPC especially for props if you have got a shoulder of a Super Player hit at scrum timeCoree Te Whata Colley is the frustrating one , has a massive frame , is physical and can scrum but S&C is nowhere where it needs to be
Was asked pre 2021 to join the Chiefs preseason training , but never fronted. -
@Duluth chatted to the CEO of Northland rugby yesterday, apparently Wilton Rebolo has fitted in like a glove with the Taniwha Group , immensely strong and in superb condition what has surprised a few is his ball skills .
Rebolo was very much a Marty Veale selection as he had this player under him at New York in the MLR .
It’s fair to say there’s a few in the north that aren’t overly happy , but to be honest there’s a couple young props that are still around a year away Tahi Subritsky from Hora Hora a tight head who only changed to Rugby from league back in 2020 was impressive in the Futures tournament back in FebTrinity McQueen Western Sharks is also one they see as long term project as well as Craven Martin UK Moerewa
But as we know big difference in level between club and NPC especially for props if you have got a shoulder of a Super Player hit at scrum timeCoree Te Whata Colley is the frustrating one , has a massive frame , is physical and can scrum but S&C is nowhere where it needs to be
Was asked pre 2021 to join the Chiefs preseason training , but never fronted.@Steven-Harris said in Northland 2023:
It’s fair to say there’s a few in the north that aren’t overly happy
Good, that means people care. I’m not a fan of imports at all.
I’m pessimistic about the future of NPC in general. It’s main point of difference with SR is that it’s a representative competition not a franchise competition. If it becomes more like a franchise competition the arguments in its favour diminish. IMO players should come from the provinces club competition (with the exception of local players who have graduated to SR and people moving to region who will play club rugby the following year)
I’ve been consistent and it’s not about the quality of imports (I was against Olmstead as much as Vest/Pugh and am not happy about Thomas)
I haven’t followed closely.. will there be many new additions to the Northland squad this year? Have most of them played club rugby in Northland this year? Will Trainor be moving to Northland club rugby next season?
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@Steven-Harris said in Northland 2023:
It’s fair to say there’s a few in the north that aren’t overly happy
Good, that means people care. I’m not a fan of imports at all.
I’m pessimistic about the future of NPC in general. It’s main point of difference with SR is that it’s a representative competition not a franchise competition. If it becomes more like a franchise competition the arguments in its favour diminish. IMO players should come from the provinces club competition (with the exception of local players who have graduated to SR and people moving to region who will play club rugby the following year)
I’ve been consistent and it’s not about the quality of imports (I was against Olmstead as much as Vest/Pugh and am not happy about Thomas)
I haven’t followed closely.. will there be many new additions to the Northland squad this year? Have most of them played club rugby in Northland this year? Will Trainor be moving to Northland club rugby next season?
@Duluth said in Northland 2023:
Will Trainor be moving to Northland club rugby next season?
Are a few that havent played club footy here, Trainor being the one that sticks out (plenty of comments about why they signed him - I think there are a few locals I'd have preferred first, but he is signed, so embrace it) Adams, Caird and Hallam-Eames have been playing MLR, but the 2 latter have been here for a while, so can be given a bit of latitude, otherwise, supposed to play Super and/or club footy.
I think you only need to look at the photo I posted in the club thread and the size of the crowd that turned up for a club final, people here will support rugby, but if you have a team of imports, people wont come along.
Most people will watch thier team full of local players battle away pinching the odd win as they connect with a team full of players they watch week in week out on thier local fields.
If Rebolo plays up a storm, he'll be welcomed in, and to be honest it wont take much for him to exceed the last 2 south american front rowers we tried out, one of whom was even capped by Argentina when they were good at scrumming.
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@Duluth said in Northland 2023:
Will Trainor be moving to Northland club rugby next season?
Are a few that havent played club footy here, Trainor being the one that sticks out (plenty of comments about why they signed him - I think there are a few locals I'd have preferred first, but he is signed, so embrace it) Adams, Caird and Hallam-Eames have been playing MLR, but the 2 latter have been here for a while, so can be given a bit of latitude, otherwise, supposed to play Super and/or club footy.
I think you only need to look at the photo I posted in the club thread and the size of the crowd that turned up for a club final, people here will support rugby, but if you have a team of imports, people wont come along.
Most people will watch thier team full of local players battle away pinching the odd win as they connect with a team full of players they watch week in week out on thier local fields.
If Rebolo plays up a storm, he'll be welcomed in, and to be honest it wont take much for him to exceed the last 2 south american front rowers we tried out, one of whom was even capped by Argentina when they were good at scrumming.
@taniwharugby said in Northland 2023:
I think you only need to look at the photo I posted in the club thread and the size of the crowd that turned up for a club final, people here will support rugby, but if you have a team of imports, people wont come along.
Most people will watch thier team full of local players battle away pinching the odd win as they connect with a team full of players they watch week in week out on thier local fields.
Absolutely. Not singling out Northland either.. I'm just surprised by the lack of criticism from all teams fans about imports.
Each year it seems there's more and more signings from outside provincial boundaries and most people seem ambivalent (which is why I'm pleased to hear some fans are annoyed about the signing of the prop)
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I assume there will be a few more names? Last year there was 8 'apprentices' too
Changes from the 2022 squad:
Props
Out:
Conan O'Donnell, Sila Puafasi, Coree Te Whata-ColleyIn:
Rob Cobb, Remsy Lemisio, Wilton ReboloHooker
Out:
Ross WrightIn:
Jordan OlsenLocks
Out
Josh Goodhue, Terepai KingIn:
Sean SweetmanLoosies
Out:
Jacob Matiu, Tom RobinsonIn:
Hayden Jurlina, Saimoni UluinakauvadraHalfback
No Change
First Five
Out:
Johnny CooperMidfield
Out:
Kalani GoingOutside Backs
Out:
Jone MacilaiIn:
Tama Anderson, Jordan Trainor -
Looks like only 4 guys (Rebolo, Cobb, Woods and Trainor) in the main squad who haven't played for Northland before - that's good consistency.
Jone Macilai biggest loss IMO. (Goodhue covered well by the 4 locks in the squad and Robinson barely played last year)
Good to see Sweetman and Olsen back
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@taniwharugby said in Northland 2023:
I think you only need to look at the photo I posted in the club thread and the size of the crowd that turned up for a club final, people here will support rugby, but if you have a team of imports, people wont come along.
Most people will watch thier team full of local players battle away pinching the odd win as they connect with a team full of players they watch week in week out on thier local fields.
Absolutely. Not singling out Northland either.. I'm just surprised by the lack of criticism from all teams fans about imports.
Each year it seems there's more and more signings from outside provincial boundaries and most people seem ambivalent (which is why I'm pleased to hear some fans are annoyed about the signing of the prop)
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@taniwharugby The French season starts on August 19, but then pauses from September 5 to October 29, so it would depend on his contract, I guess?
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Hhmmm, a starting 15, I'll assume we wont get Ofa much.
Props: Apoua / Adams
Hooker: Toss up really, all 3 capable, but I think I prefer Olsen
Locks: I'd like them to give Craig the early run, but I think they will start with Hallam-Eames and Caird
Loosies: Rush, Matich and Ma'u
Halves: Nock, Reihana
Centres: Goodhue, Tua
Back 3: Rush, Moorby, Trainor (although I'd like to see more of Tama Anderson at this level, while small, has gas and skills) -
@Tim I would guess his contract would be post RWC, he said in the recent podcast that he was still hopeful of playing RWC while also taking about the possible french move?
@taniwharugby sounds right. Would definitely be a possible replacement if he doesn't make the squad.
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Hhmmm, a starting 15, I'll assume we wont get Ofa much.
Props: Apoua / Adams
Hooker: Toss up really, all 3 capable, but I think I prefer Olsen
Locks: I'd like them to give Craig the early run, but I think they will start with Hallam-Eames and Caird
Loosies: Rush, Matich and Ma'u
Halves: Nock, Reihana
Centres: Goodhue, Tua
Back 3: Rush, Moorby, Trainor (although I'd like to see more of Tama Anderson at this level, while small, has gas and skills) -
@taniwharugby Heremaia Murray worth a start on the wing?
@Tim he broke his collarbone at Highlanders training, so at best, week 2 he will be back.
We start with storm week too, Canterbury (H) Taranaki (H) SOuthland (A) so could be a cracker of a start (or could be awful) but probably plenty of chances for players.
