Coach

So it would appear that Harris has either stood down or been pushed out the door as his job has been advertised today.

If he has stood down, you gotta give the guy some credit for doing so early enough to allow things to move on, as I am sure he knew how tough it was when he came in at the 11th hour.

While I think alot of this seaosn fall at his feet, you also gotta point out that we did make big strides from his first year too, so thats on him as well.

I guess the question is, where too from here?

I expect at least one of the unsuccessful candidates from the last appointment will probably apply again, but what new ones will come out?

I'd be keen on someone like Gus and Dooley taking it on with Woodward at the helm to mentor them

@taniwharugby I really liked Richie - when results don't go your way as head coach then pressure builds. I have had a fair crack on this site this year about a few selections but from the sidelines you don't know the full story and our teams never get to play. Anyway, by stepping down ( I presume so ) he has given his successor a chance to get his feet under the table. I hope they realise that it's not just the ITM CUp side but every Northland team that needs to perform. I think progress is being made but this takes time....the pool of young Northland talent pulled together this year is better than we have seen for a long time. The chance to develop and mould them into a winning side should encourage those who know something about the game and Northland rugby. I hope they get some Northlanders into the mix....

@taniwharugby said in Coach:

So it would appear that Harris has either stood down or been pushed out the door as his job has been advertised today.

If he has stood down, you gotta give the guy some credit for doing so early enough to allow things to move on, as I am sure he knew how tough it was when he came in at the 11th hour.

While I think alot of this seaosn fall at his feet, you also gotta point out that we did make big strides from his first year too, so thats on him as well.

I guess the question is, where too from here?

I expect at least one of the unsuccessful candidates from the last appointment will probably apply again, but what new ones will come out?

I'd be keen on someone like Gus and Dooley taking it on with Woodward at the helm to mentor them

He might not have resigned or been sacked. It's probably just a case of the NRU advertising the position. I would've been very surprised if the job hadn't been advertised. A 5% winning record just isn't good enough. Some allowances could've been made for last year but even then I think we should've done better than we did. This year was an improvement but there's no way with the talent we had available should we have finished last again.

I think he will be under huge pressure to retain the role. My money would be on Greg Shipton taking over - proven NPC track record, NZ u/19s coach and long history with NRU and won the club comp this year with OBM. Would be hesitant about legends like Collins or Holwell taking over with little/no club experience.

@Chiefy pretty sure he was on a 3 year contract, I doubt NRU are that far ahead of things to look at the 2018 season and beyond for recruiting....so I think it is most likely he has stepped down.

All speculation of course.

@taniwharugby Really? He was on a 3 year contract? That was a bit optimistic by the NRU...

Nick White

@Duluth He would probably be more use propping up our scrum than coaching us...

@Chiefy said in Coach:

@taniwharugby Really? He was on a 3 year contract? That was a bit optimistic by the NRU...

dunno, 3 years is just common sense IMO

1st year for trying to implement new structures with existing players, 2nd year get a few of your own contracted players with your new structures, ethos etc, 3rd year should be your money year, if you are any good...

Whilst the union has advertised for a new head coach,Richie Harris has not resigned,but will reapply for the role,I also believe his assistant Dale McLeod will also apply for the role,.from what I understand the end of season player and coach reviews have been completed,and everybody will be informed over the next 2 x weeks,
Just to update any further super rugby news in and around contracts,Solomon Alaimalo after being offered a WTG with Blues had decided to take a full contract with the Chiefs,good news for Solomon and Northland,and yes it's is the worst kept secret,But Jack Goodhue has signed the Taniwha for 2017.
I do know of at least,3 x high profile players that are keen to play in Northland in the 2017 season,but out of respect for my contact,I will be keeping this under my hat,needless to say,one of these players has played for the Taniwha previously..!

Sounds promising @Steven-Harris is Matich likely to pick up anything?

Ah ok, so he has to reapply, you'd have to think the odds are stacked against him to retain the role given his 1 win in 2 season record, but then I guess it also depends on who applies as well...

Great news for Waa too being bought into the Maori squad!

Mint news about Goodhue!

Thought Goodhue was starting to look very classy for Canterbury this season. If he keeps that rate of development up for another couple of years he'll be starting to look like AB material. He's got a long Crusaders contract now, no reason he cant switch to the Taniwha for NPC.

Gutted for Waa and Matich for missing out...am sure there are plenty of players around NZ who are unlucky to miss a Super contract, but for me, these 2 for sure are the unluckiest for Northland this year.

I wonder if Matich is an option for Captain next year?

Waa can make a comeback....

@kev
No, Moulds is doing a good job! Players want to play for Northland, because he is a passionate Northland player and other guys want to play for us. You can't be promoting guys who are just good players, they have to have leadership and the changes you see happening around the traps are because of the SR guys bringing back to the region. Matich did well for his opportunities, but if DP was in the mix, Matich wouldn't have got much of a run.can't see him

@Northlandallday while I agree on Moulds, I am not so sure I agree that Matich woulddnt have got much of a run if DP hadnt been injured, the coaches seemed to favour FV2 at 6, meaning we'd of had DP, KP & MM fighting it out for the other 2 loosies spots, given he didnt play Ram much either, despite being a quality player and someone who always played with more punch than his size should have...coaches seemed to have much different ideas on the make up of the best side than most of us did

Am a little suprised Moulds re-signed with the Blues or stayed on TBH given how little gametime they have given him in 2 seasons, so be interesting to see if he gets any more in 2017.

any rumours out there about who has or might be applying?

I've heard a couple, but one is a bit unbelievable so wont spread it further.

@taniwharugby come on TR, where's the fun in that?

well I have credible sources who I believe, while others I don't, and heard from both, so who to believe haha

@taniwharugby From what I understand,up to 30 applications were received,including a candidate that had coached in Ireland,and the final four coaches left in the mix are

1.Dale McLeod,current Northland assistant coach
2.Derrin Whitcombe,previous Northland coach
3.Leo Crowley,former Taranaki assistant coach,Canada assistant to brother Kieran Crowley,
in recent times was the Melbourne Rebels assistant coach in Super Rugby,also applied for the Head coaching job at Waikato back in 2014,without success.
4,Mana Otai,Tongan coach between 2012 and 2015,contract was terminated with a year still to run.

Interviews to take place around the 30th November.

There was a whisper doing the rounds that former Canterbury and Munster coach Rob Penny was in the mix,don't totally discount as a possible move going forward,apparently he loves the lifestyle in terms of fishing and outdoors in the North

Looking at the possible candidates,Dale McLeod from what I am lead to believe received a very good players review,and I believe the Northland union is pleased with the work he does with the clubs,which is a real work on to develop the game in the North.
Also has the personality to stand up to the players

Cheers @Steven-Harris Penney was the name I was referring to. Surely if he had applied, it'd be a no brainier to give it him?

I'd heard that about McLeod too...interesting to see Whitcombe in the mix, not sure what to make of that TBH.

I think he was making progress before he left, but not sure going back is always good, although we've done that with Woodward a few times.

The other 2 don't fill me with confidence.

Any word on the signings you mentioned before?