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!