Northland 2025
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Some early season oil
New Blues hooker James Mullan has signed a 2 year deal with the Taniwha
Whangarei born Jake Heenan who has played for both Bristol and Connacht is returning home has penned a 1 year dealAlso hearing from a 3rd party that Marcel Renata has signed
Welcome home Marcel
There’s is another Auckland forward that is in negotiations with Northland at the minuteAlso in negations with a NZ under 20 prop who is a current NPC player
Possible return to the Taniwha for Solomon Alaimalo and
Tevita Latu who has been bought into the Moana Pacifica squadJared Adams has been released from his contract
Remsy Lemisio has not been re signed
Shame about Remsy because he can scrum , just his fitness was not where it should have been -
@Steven-Harris was very disappointed with the condition Adams turned up in last year, is a quality prop to have coming off the bench especially around the park, same on Remsy, had a torrid time in his introduction to NPC in 2023 but his scrumming had improved out of sight last year. Such a shame, when I first saw him play club in 2023 he was in mint shape and looked a real prospect.
Thats good news re Mullan given the uncertainty of Moulds, the reluctance to promote Hutchings and the failure of that Aussie hooker.
Thats good for Marcel to return, that was has been in the pipelines for years I believe.
Interesting on Heenan, left with big wraps and didnt he go to Ireland as one of thier project players? Think he has had some injury issues, but still be good to have a genuine 7 option (assume he has been playing 7) given we havent really had a genuine one lock down a spot for a while.
edit - maybe not re the Irish project thing
Good Sports: Jake Heenan - Northern Advocate News - NZ Herald
Browse local and regional news from the Northland region, including Whangarei, Bay of Islands, Kaitaia, Dargaville and the far North - northernadvocate.co.nz
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@taniwharugby Jake who played NZ under 20 back in 2012 wasn’t worried about the money just wanted to give something back to the union where he started his rugby journey
His professionalism will be a great acquisition around the younger players , has lot of big knock out rugby experience
Apparently is in superb shapeHeard some great things about the off season work of Liam Hallam Eames and Sam Caird , both have put on 5kgs
Backline coach Ryan Martin is also returning as well Rivez Reihana rated him as the best backline attack coaches he has ever played under
I heard that through other coaches as well , totally wasted in the MLR imo -
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@TaneT I dont think there is anything online showing the current signed players.
Is there someone in particular you were wondering about or just in general?
@Steven-Harris usually has good intel on this though.
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@TaneT Ryan Martin has signed for just 2025 as at this stage as he still has another 2 x years to run on his New England Freejacks contract in the MLR
In terms of signings that i am aware of and whats been realesed on the Northland web site
Hookers
Matt Moulds
James Mullan
Jordon HutchingsProps
Marcel Renata
Jordon Lay
Ofa Tuangafasi
Chris Apoua
Eslie Fono
One prop to be added (possibly local)Locks
Sam Caird
Allan Craig
One lock to be added (Liam Hallam Eames) Possibly
Possibly a lock/6 as wellLoose forwards
Simon Parker
Terrell Peita
Jake Heenan
Rob Rush
Local loose forward to be addedHalfback
Sam Nock
Jay Renton
Local halfback to be addedFirst Five
Rivez Reihana
In discussions with a current Super Rugby 10
Local 10 to be addedMidfield
Corey Evans
Quinten Nicholas
Midfielder/Wing in discussionsWings
Kiwi Duncan ( signed but out for the season after a shoulder operation)
Nathan Salmon
Brady Rush
Solomon Alaimalo/Fullback
Possibly another outside backFullback
Jordon TrainorLisati Milo Harris has been released from his contract (heading to france)
Heremaia Murray unfortunately has not been released by the Queensland Reds for the 2025 seasonLocals that are realistic
Ricky Heremaia Mid Northern tighthead prop ( has made some great gains fitness wise )
Very big human being
Matt La Toga Mid Northern No 8 ( transfered to Mid Northern ,in superb shape and is playing well)
Jade Stewart Mid Northern 10
Ruben Stewart Mid Northern 15 but being looked at as a possible 12 ( Good size added in the last year)
Zak Shanks Mid Northern 7
Ryan Nankivell UK/Moerewa being looked at as a fullback as opposed to 10They have got some experienced heads floating around in
Matt Matich
Dan Hawkins
Blake Hohaia
Corey Te Whata Colley
On saying that not to sure what the current selection group are thinking
There is a game against the Auckland contenders to played on Wednesday 28th May at the University Rugby Club this will defy where many of the players that were named in the HP squad are@taniwharugby might have a few names to add given he’s already watched a couple of club games
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@Steven-Harris
Props - I think they are looking at both MN props, but you are correct, Heremaia is a very large man, has some nice soft skills too. If CTC is fit, I'd have him back, love the way he plays.Lock - While Darcy Holwell has decent size and great skill set, not sure he has the physicality yet, although is still only 19. Most other clubs, have alot of lock/6 sized players.
Loosies - Shanks was excellent on weekend for MN, Letoga looks in better shape than other years as well as playing well
9 - I'd go with Sam Parkes form KK, he is a good 9 and played plenty of Heartland, otherwise the cupboard is bare for anyone experienced, are a few decent looking youngsters coming through, one who also plays for MN, Ben Love was at Boys High last year, good skills, pace and physicality (although was a mid-fielder at school and was in the Blues U18 last year too)
10 - again, cupboard is bare, expect Hawkins likely be given another shot? Think he has alot to offer in a mentor role, but not sure he should keep a spot? Not sold on Jade Stewart, great kicking game, but his running skills.
MId-field - are a few big runners about, hopefully they do go with a lacal here. Ironically, Blake Hohaia looks to be in impressive shape and I see him working hard at the gym, but seems to be more focussed on his player/coach role at Kamo and often plays himself off the bench.
Are a few handy outside backs running about, Judah Andrews from OBM would be one I'd love to get a run, I like Nankivell too, has a good skillset, but needs to learn to deal with pressure better. Kamo have Jacob Lowther as a wing/FB, who is 19, I know he has put on some size after being in the HP program, but could do with a bit more. Petero Ratumaitavuki has soemthing about him, great gas, but not sure his all round skillset is there, the good parts reminds me of Fero and the less ideal, Malupo.
Haven't seen alot of Rueben Stewart since he came back, had some nice touches on the weekend at 15 and def has good size. I saw alot of him in junior rugby, so naturally talented, think he went to MAGS?
Am sure a few other names I missed.
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@taniwharugby said in Northland 2025:
@Steven-Harris
Props - I think they are looking at both MN props, but you are correct, Heremaia is a very large man, has some nice soft skills too.Heremaia is around 6’3 130 Kgs only 22 or 23 can play both sides of the scrum gets great post tackle metres and i have been informed hits ball carriers very hard and then apologies to them after hes smashed them (Needs to stop that)
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@Steven-Harris we've always had the talent here, keeping them in rugby and/or Northland is always the struggle, I expect other provinces have similar issues, particularly with keeping kids in the sport post 16-18 or so.
Not to mention prior coaching teams seemed far less invested in developing local talent as well.
