Northland 2023

I know it's early, but NRU have started releasing some signings for next season already.

• Matt Matich has re-signed
• Rivez Reihana has re-signed
• Milo-Harris has re-signed

Are several key players that have not yet re-signed though.

• Josh Moorby (Waikato & Wellington are also chasing him hard, he should really give Waikato the given they didnt want him for the 2022 season, but understand he is from there...)
• Sam Caird
• Liam Hallam-Eames

Lock looms as a potential problem area now that Goodhue has gone, the 2 above could potentially pick up contracts off-shore meaning we go from 4 players with super experience at lock, to 1 lock/loosie in Tom (assuming he is right)

I understand there are a few other new signings that are close too (although not at lock)

@taniwharugby Did Moorby only sign for 1 year?

@taniwharugby said in Northland 2023:

Josh Moorby (Waikato & Wellington are also chasing him hard, he should really give Waikato the given they didnt want him for the 2022 season, but understand he is from there...)

Don't know if it was a typo but the Hurricanes squad announcement graphic had his NPC team listed as Manawatu

@Bovidae yeah, I know he has had the Northland offer in front of him for some time now, so probably doesnt bode too well.

@Duluth yeah I hadnt heard about them as an option, only that both Wellington and Waikato were obviously very keen, with larger budgets @Steven-Harris might know if Manawatu was in the picture.

@taniwharugby Moorby would have a better chance of starting for Waikato than ahead of Love at Wellington. A swap for Cook-Savage?

@Bovidae who knows, he may want to return...

Can understand Moorby is from Waikato etc, but I still think it’d be pretty shitty of him to bunk out after one season. He gave the Stags three years and that’s further from his homeland than us!

Not great from NRU with this one year deal business either, need to lock guys in for 2+ seasons minimum for continuity in building a team, which we seem to be doing in some aspects.

@J77 We'll gladly give you Tiatia. :face_with_hand_over_mouth:

@Stargazer yeah nah thanks..

With Milo Harris and Hape both already re-signed I wonder if that means Nock is moving on? Seems a little strange to have all 3 locked in so far out.

No real surprises so far. Moorby probably the biggest concern - would be good to get him locked in for a few seasons. Will be interesting to see if Ranger gets another contract

@Chiefy07 nah pretty sure he is still signed with Northland, given he recently extended his stay at the Blues.

For me, they shouldnt be plugging gaps for that 3rd spot this far out, otherwise where is the incentive for any club players next year?

Zion Going stands out as someone who they need to be lookign closer at, plus are a couple of others out there too.

My understanding is Ranger is keen for another round, but I do hope if they do they set some targets for him to meet, and then look at him at the end of club season, unlike the back-to-front way they did things this year in setting fitness/weight targets, player x achieves them, signed before club season starts, then player x carries on his average journey when playing.

It's looking pretty good at this point for next year. Will feel a lot better if we get Moorby re-signed. Really good to see some young guys getting invested in

A 2-year contract with Graham Dewes remaining as assistant coach.
A unanimous decision from the interview panel which included Leon McDonald.
How much of this season's improved performance can be attributed to the new Head Coach?

@Pepe given he lead the defence and aside from 3 games in a row where we leaked alot, our defence was pretty staunch, and this is what got our season rolling with the wins over 'naki and Wellington, along with that epic win over Auckland, I think this is the right call.

Dewes also doesnt strike me as head coach material, seems to be a good technical coach, gets his forwards doing good work, but think he probably works better as someones assistant, his half time chats on TV are not great either...

Am hoping the next announcement will be Josh Moorby re-signing now, I had heard he was waiting for the appointment of the new coach, hopefully this is the one he was waiting for before he re-signed.

@taniwharugby

I agree with your thoughts in regard to Dewes.
Do we know who any of the other applicants may have been?

@Pepe I did hear a couple other names, but no 'big names' that stood out (and cant even remember them now)

This is what I was hoping for. Good appointment. Keeping Dewes as assistant is good too

Agree @taniwharugby hopefully the next re signing is Moorby

@Chiefy07 they commented on social media saying there would be more announcements today...