Northland Club Rugby 2024
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Club season from Wellsford to Kerikeri kicks off tomorrow, I expect be some decent scores with grounds still very firm and likely plenty of warm sunshine.
Plenty of new names across the squads I have seen, some youngsters coming through plus some from regions around NZ.
I’m heading along to Hora Hora v Hikurangi, which will be interesting, seeing the Hika team sheet, several unfamiliar names as they seem to have recruited a several players from far and wide (google says from NH to Buller for some names that had results) while former Northland halfback Rhyan Caine (42) is on the bench and ex Northland and Sydney Roosters Iwi Hauraki (36) returns to the mid-field, I havent seen the HH team yet, but heard they have also picked up some quality players, most notably Terrell Peita returning to the North.
In other matches, Waipu (who I have heard are struggling for numbers again this year) host Kamo, who have plenty of youngsters in their line-up, with at least 2 18yr olds making thier senior prem debuts, and Northland veteran Blake Hohaia steering them from 10 (as he did a few times last year)
Old Boys Marist host Kerikeri, Morewa/United KawaKawa host Western Sharks while Wellsford Host defending champions Mid Northern, who will be tested without Rob Rush and Allan Craig, while there are whispers they have lost a couple to HH, although cant confirm until I see the HH line up.
Without seeing all the team sheets, I’m picking HH will be too strong for last years wooden spooners, although depending on the quality of the new recruits, may surprise
OBM to sneak it over Kerikeri
Kamo to be too strong for Waipu
Morewa/UKK have had a good pre-season and I think they will sneak it over the Sharks
I think MN should still have the quality to get past Wellsford, who in pre-season had a very slimmed down Rene Ranger packing down at prop! -
As expected, brilliant autumn afternoon in the sun for the opening round of club footy.
As I mentioned above, Hora Hora have done some recruiting in the off season, picking up Puru Aboyage and Kobe Walters from Kamo, Rory Woods and Mahue Dewes from Waipu and Kobe Scutt from Mid Northern, along with a other new faces, Terrell Peita didnt play today.
Hika started well, but were unable to capitalise on a Mahue Dewes YC from a no arms tackle, in fact HH managed to score and lead 7-0 when he returned.
The half ended with HH out 19-0, that, while a fair reflection of thier dominance in field position, there were 2 very soft tries off the back of the scrum by Rory Woods.
HH started the 2nd spell fast, scoring twice in 10 mins, looking like they'd run away with it at 33-0, but HIka held on and scored thier 1st try, about 60mins in, then with about 15 to go, Mahue Dewes picked up his 2nd Yellow for a technical foul, so HH finished the game with 14.
Hika managed to pick up 2 more tries in that period and were denied a final cracker of a try in the last play by an equally superb cover tackle in the corner by flanker, Iowane Ratadaito take the game 38-24.
For HH, Dan Hawkins at 12 controlled things well, as always, staunch on defence stopping props that run at him, while Tama Anderson who looks to added some bulk to his frame was a threat at the back. New centre Eroni Biukoto had a couple of superb touches in the 1st spell showing some excelllent pace and great feet, but barely saw the ball in the 2nd. Rory Woods was very good at 8 for HH, although barely got out of 3rd gear it seemed but was good on both side sof the ball and a great turn of pace.
For HIkurangi, thier best was Caleb Havili, a big lock who carried strongly all game, making metres in contact through the HH defence, hooker Tuaomaauga Tanimo was also a handful with ball in hand. Cleveland BArrell had his moments at 12 for HIka, but they struggled at 10 and could be an issue giving thier backs much ball if they are to improve thier wooden spoon position.
All results bar 1 went as I expected, with Keri Keri turning over OBM
Not sure if it is an indictment of NZ Rugby as a whole, but from the teamsheets I saw and players I know, quality 10s and locks of decent height are in short supply, I think only HH (Scutt, although Hawkins played there most often) Kerikeri (Johnny Cooper) Morewa/Kawakawa (Nankivell) started with specialist 10s running the show.
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As seems to be the tradition with Northland Rugby for Easter weekend, this weekends games are all being played tonight.
I’ll be heading along to the OBM – Kamo game, while conditions are supposed to be ok tonight, has been a bit of light rain about overnight so expect it will be damp underfoot tonight, but think Kamo should be too strong for OBM.
Wellsford host Waipu, where I expect Wellsford will win comfortably.
In the battle of the mid North, Kerikeri host Moerewa/Kawakawa which will be a tight one, but I think the visitors will sneak it
Sharks host Hora Hora who I think are firming as contenders this year, so expect they will get up to beat their hosts
Hikurangi will host Mid Northern, while I think Hika will cause some issues this year as they have a solid pack, I think MN will be too strong tonight -
Was a good night for rugby last night.
Went to the OBM v Kamo game, with the hosts making the better start, leading at the break, but a couple of great moments from Kamo saw them finally take the lead and ended up taking the tussle 22-15.
I hadnt checked the team sheets before I went, so was a surprise to see Jone Macilai on the wing for OB last night, and there is still some life in the old dog.
He still has a great ability to break tackles with some great strength, and played a huge role in breaking the Kamo defence open in a 60m effort where he off-loaded allowing someone to trot in a 7 pointer. Even when one of the KAmo wings turned him inside out one minute, next he was determined to get him and chased and wrestled the ball away, I'd certainly be happier seeing him play for the Taniwha again than a few that have the past 12 months...
For OBM Sam Caird worked hard along with #8 Vikta Tevita, while 9 Austin Ryburn and mid-field Mitchell Reader had thier moments.
The visitors took longer to get into the game, but the big moment was a superb break by 10 Nikau Graham and a equally superb off-load to put Blake Hohaia away and take the lead, in the forwards Mason Hohaia and young Harry Lowther showed good work rates while in the backs Graham and Hohaia had thier moments, as did halfback Donald Boyd who probably tried a bit much at times.
All bar the Sharks - HH game went as I expected, and MN dispatched HIka much easier than I thought they would.
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Round 3 of the Northland Premier comp should again be played in excellent conditions tomorrow and the table is starting to take shape and a few games will certainly give a better idea of where teams are at.
- Moerewa/Kawakawa fresh off winning the battle of the north and 1 of 3 teams to win their opening matches, host Old Boys Marist who have had 2 narrow losses to start the season, I expect they will remain winless after this too.
- Kamo, also winning their opening matches host Wellsford, I expect Kamo will also retain their winning start to the season.
- Hora Hora host Kerikeri, these 2 teams seem to be finding their feet, I expected HH to feature better v the Sharks last week, while KK had a close loss but rolled OBM the week before, so could go either way, but I think the home team will edge it to try and maybe sneak into the top 4
- In a bottom of the table clash, both winless sides Waipu and Hikurangi face off in Waipu, I think Waipu should take this one in front of their fans
- The final match of the round should be a good one with defending champs and table topping Mid Northern facing the Western Sharks who beat a good HH outfit last week, I think MN will be too strong, particularly at home
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Well the weather guessers got it wrong, I went along to the Kamo v Wellsford match and she was a blustery wet afternoon of rugby, and judging by the half/full time scores of the other games, many had decent winds about as well.
Kamo started with a strong wind at thier backs and were comfortably ahead 20-0 at the break, they started the 2nd strong into the wind but Wellsford struck 1st and by 56 mins were within striking distance at 20-14.
The 2nd Wellsford try was following some less than smart play by Kamo messing about in thier 22, then almost straight form the re-start Kamo played some smart rugby and hit back to get themselves out of the strike zone.
Wellsford, against the run of play struck again, but was a wide score and the kick was unsuccessful leaving them 8 points shy as they entered the last 10.
The final 6 mins or so was pretty frantic with Kamo almost sealing it, but young fullback Jacob Lowther, who had been solid if underused givin the conditions, was unable to regather the wet ball only 5m out, then several phases later Rene Ranger busted a tackle on his own 22, linked with Matt Wright to storm into Kamo's 22, but for a superb peice of defence by a retreating Kamo and then one of the Wellsford forwards to fumble it at the ruck saw the game finish 27-19.
Were many handling errors today, but also some superb running, although some less than ideal decisions in the conditions at times.
For Wellsford, I liked the look of 12 Herewini Hohepa (assuming they had correct numbers, as Wellsford's 22 looked sharp, but the team sheet didnt have a 22 on it) along with fullback Jayden Kemp, the Wellsford pack struggled at set piece, and even had Rene Ranger packing at 6 alot of the 2nd spell.
For Kamo, prop Iose Brown was always at the head of queue when Ross Wright was charging up, and each time he met Iose, he was stopped, Kamo 8 Jarvaiyas Mangu was busy with ball in hand, while half, Don Boyd was again strong, although still feel he tries to do a bit much. Kamo's pack looks strong although like most teams, lack in height, but will def be there come the finals time.
In the other matches Morewa/KK put OBM away, although looked comfortable at the break, I suspect they turned into the wind and OBM got the points win in the 2nd half.
2 converted tries and 2 penalties in the final 15 minutes saw HH take the win over KK 23-17.
Hikurangi kept Waipu winless with a comfortable win, again, leading well at half time, and Waipu coming back in the 2nd half.
Mid Northern totally dominated the Sharks, and were up 45-0 at the break, but again, I expect must have been a huge wind, and they 'only' won 52-20
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Another sunny autumn day of rugby today.
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Sharks host Waipu, and expect them to win comfortably.
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Kerikeri host leaders Mid Northern, I expect visitors to come away with the win
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Hikurangi host Kamo, who sit in 2nd, Kamo should account for Hikurangi, although they seem a different prospect with big Matt letoga at the back of the scrum.
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Wellsford face winless OBM, who have played some good rugby, but just failed to finish, today might be the day they get thier 1st win of the season.
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Moerewa/Kawakawa sit in 3rd, facing 4th placed HH, I think the hosts will be too strong.
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Unfortunately I wasnt able to make a game today with most out of town.
But looking at the scores, all went as I thought, with MN, Kamo & M/KK retaining thier unbeaten record (that will change next week with MN & M/KK facing)
MN putting 45 on KK, who TBF had thier usual 9 at 10 and Johnny Cooper at 13, but was a bit of a surprise, as was the margin OBM got in thier first win of the season.
Was interesting to see Allen Craig on the bench for MN after playing last night too.
Kamo took a while to get going v Hika, with Matt Letoga picking up 2 early tries that saw them leading for parts of the game.
Sad part is Waipu defaulting, no one likes to see that, but I hear it is being seen more often around the country too, that is concerning.
That said, the games I have been to, have all been well supported by fans, no less than previous years, the odd game, probably better crowds turning up.
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Weather looks a bit dicey for tomorrow, which is a shame with 2 big games on the card that sees 1 v 3 and 2 v 5.
Not yet seen any team sheets.
- Match of the round will be unbeaten MN (1st) taking on unbeaten Moerewa/United Kawakawa (3rd) MN are tracking well despite not being as strong (on paper) as last year, while MM/UKK is chock full of veteran players with a sprinkling of youth, while I expect MN to be too strong, I thnkn M/UKK will be there at the business end of the season
- Wellsford host Hikurangi, after a heavy home loss last week, Wellsford will be out to get back on track, however if Hikurangi have big Matt Letoga at 8 again, I think they will sneak past Wellsford.
- OBM fresh off their big away win over Wellsford will want to keep rolling against HH, who I must say aren’t as good as I thought they should be, although without a decent front row, they will battle, I think this will be tight, but OBM to win it
- Kamo (2nd) still undefeated host 5th place Western Sharks, I think Kamo should take this, while they aren’t the biggest, fastest or best, they have a solid looking team across the board, although their lineout is a bit of a weakness IMO
- Waipu, who defaulted in their away fixture last week, host Kerikeri, the visitors should be too strong for Waipu, who seem to be battling on and off the field this year and last year, after making the final in 2022
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It was a gloomy autumn afternoon, but watching the game updates and checking other reports, there was some excellent matches this afternoon!
Only one game was separated by more than 5 points, and 3 teams remain unbeaten.
The big game between Mid Northern and Moerewa/United Kawakawa ended in a draw, from what I saw, MUKK lead for 75 odd minutes, and at 1 point were 9 points clear, but in the end it was a MUKK penalty at the death that saw the game end 26-26.
I went along to Kamo v Sharks, 1st half Kamo were heading into a stiff breeze and was almost 20 minutes before they opened the scoring through young wing Jacob Lowther, they stretched thier lead further after #8 Jarvaiyas Mangu busted several tackles before out pacing the cover defence to put them out to 12-0.
The Sharks hit back almost immediately with a nicely worked try to fullback Josiah Povey, the unsuccessful kick would see the half end 12-5.
The Sharks, despite turning to face the wind hit back soon after the restart to tie things up at 12 all.
Kamo then made some great in roads through thier pack, and after going close a couple of times, prop Iose Brown stepped a defender and scored next to the uprights to put Kamo back in front.
The Sharks werent done, as they hit back soon after, they also had several chances with bruising lock Inoke Tavatu shrugging defenders aside as he stormed toward the line, then somehow, Kamo's 6 Harry Lowther bought him down just short, before they ended up scoring several phases later to again, draw level.
Now inside the final 10, with the scores tied up at 19-19, Kamo won a penalty about 25 out, right in the middle of the field, and for some reason, they went for the corner...now they did win 2 further consecutive penalties at the lineout maul, then at a scrum, only to turn around and concede a dumb penalty to allow the Sharks off the hook.
However, playing into the wind, the Sharks were unable to clear too far, and further waves of attack lead to the visitors making an error giving Kamo a scrum 5m out, from there Jayden Laupepe, thier normal fullback playing 9 crashed over his opposite to score the match winner, and with other results, go to the top of the table.
For Kamo, Ben Monaghan played very well, carried strongly, tackled and was a good target in thier lineout, Blake Hohaia did well playing at FB, while young Jacob Lowther showed some glimpses of class on the wing.
The Sharks who field a pretty decent sized forward pack were unable to utilise that advantage, even with big Inoke Tavatu and hard running midfielder Jone Mateiwai hitting the ball up, they were often met and bought down. Tavutu was also very busy at breakdowns and made some crucial tackles.
Fullback Josiah Povey showed good pace and looked dangerous when he got the ball, while young Lucas Payne showed his extreme pace on occasion, sadly, usually only chasing kicks rather than with ball in hand.
In the other games:
- Wellsford managed to come from behind to stop Hikurangi
- OBM comfortably accounted for Hora Hora
- Waipu nabbed thier first win of the season
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Another nice afternoon for some club footy today, that, in contrast to all the tight games last week, this week saw some bigger scores in all games.
I went along to watch Hora Hora host Mid Northern who alongside Kamo & Moerewa/United Kawakawa still remain unbeaten after 6 rounds.
Game started well, and the home sides loose trio of Rory Woods, Jaycob Matiu and Terrell Peita were keeping HH in the game, with Peita and Woods in particular prominent on both sides of the ball.
For Mid Northern, thier pack set the platform, led as always by Jordan Olsen, playing at 8 today.
Jade Stewart at 10 controlled the game well, while thier locking duo of Terepai King and Darcy Holwell were busy on both sides of the ball.
MN were up 28-7 at the break, although the game was closer than that, but the 2nd half saw the injection of Rob Rush who made his impact felt at the first few rucks he cleaned out and showed his step up in quality.
HH hit back early in the 2nd half when Peita bagged a double, but MN hit back immediately, and then a 4 try spell in 15 mins from about 60 mins put the game away, although HH 8 Rory Woods had the final say as they went down 51-19.
For HH, Woods and Peita were prominent in the 1st half, while Woods maintained this, Peita was a bit quieter in the 2nd, Kobie Scutt and Kobie Walters both had thier moments for the home side.
MN seem to be playing well as a team, with no real standouts in the 1st spell, Kiwi Duncan had his moments but sometimes his decision making lets him down, although scored a cracker of a solo try in the 2nd spell with great stepping off both feet to beat defenders and gas to finish.
In the 2nd half, centre Zac Shanks who is usually a loosie showed some classy with ball in hand and deceptive pace, while Jade Stewart had a good game guiding them around at 10, while Rob Rush was into everything as you'd expect with a player of his calibre, props Lemisio and Apoua both had thier moments to show thier running skills while they ensured MN had a dominant set piece.
All the other results were as expected, although score lines bigger than I'd expected and a couple blowouts, none moreso than the MUKK v Waipu where the scores were tight at 17-13 at half time.