Coach: George Konia
Home ground: Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei
2019: Sixth in Championship
Talking points
Always the entertainers of the Mitre 10 Cup, Northland’s attacking prowess cannot be denied. But if the Taniwha are going to feature at the business end of the season, it is their defence which will need the most improvement after conceding 393 points in 2019 (the most of any team in the competition). There’s no doubt that defence will be a big focus area for new Head Coach George Konia while the presence of All Blacks midfielder Jack Goodhue in the squad will also provide a positive impact in this area. The Taniwha are also boosted by four players coming off a successful Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign for the Blues in the form of Sam Nock, Josh Goodhue, Jordan Hyland and Tom Robinson.
Incoming players
Johnny Cooper, Tyler Kearns, Luatangi Li, Rob Rush, Kalolo Tuiloma, Saimoni Uluinakauvadra
Outgoing players
Isi Tu’ungafasi, Jack Debreczeni, Jack Straker, Jaycob Matiu, Matty Johnson
Player to watch
While TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith and Brad Weber have led the way for halfbacks in New Zealand for the better part of a decade, Sam Nock is among a new wave of halfbacks on the rise in the country. A classical halfback with laser-like service, sniping running ability and a solid tactical game, Nock has impressed for the Blues in Super Rugby and is poised to play a leading role for the Taniwha in 2020.
Northland Taniwha squad
Paddy Atkins, Sam Caird, Johnny Cooper, Wiseguy Faiane, Jack Goodhue, Josh Goodhue, Scott Gregory, Dan Hawkins, Blake Hohaia, Jordan Hyland, Kane Jacobsen, Tyler Kearns, Pisi Leilua, Harrison Levien, Luatangi Li, Jone Macilai-Tori, Sam MacNamara, Temo Mayavananua, Sam Nock, Jordan Olsen, Matt Polwart-Matich, Rene Ranger, Tom Robinson, Rob Rush, Aorangi Stokes, Tamati Tua, Kalolo Tuiloma, Saimoni Uluinakauvadra, Ross Wright, Mathew Wright
Northland Taniwha draw
Northland v Manawatu
Sunday 13 September
2.05pm, Semenoff Stadium
Tasman v Northland
Friday 18 September
7.05pm, Landsdowne Park, Blenheim
Counties Manukau v Northland
Sunday 27 September
4.35pm, Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe
Northland v Taranaki
Saturday 3 October
4.35pm, Semenoff Stadium
Northland v Southland
Sunday 11 October
4.35pm, Semenoff Stadium
Hawke’s Bay v Northland
Friday 16 October
7.05pm, McLean Park
Otago v Northland
Friday 23 October
7.05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium
Northland v North Harbour
Saturday 31 October
4.35pm, Semenoff Stadium
Auckland v Northland
Saturday 7 November
2.05pm, Eden Park
Northland v Waikato
Saturday 14 November
2.05pm, Lindvart Park