Northland Rugby 2026

Club season went in week 2 today, and as predicted, MN leading the field.

What is concerning is how dominant they have been, putting 60 past Hora Hora in week 1 and 80 past Wellsford this week.

Now neither of them were contenders last year, but Wellsford beat Kamo last week and HH got past a strong looking Moerewa/Kawakawa side today.

Although I heard HH had some players out last week, and have picked up some talented youngsters this year.

Anywhoo, went along to watch Kamo host Kerikeri in what was about 25 deg of humidity, ground not too hard after all the rain this week.

Kerikeri lost the ball in the 1st contact of the game today, probably set the tone for them with far too many handling errors.

Kamo played pretty well, they look fit and have some speed, although will likely be lacking in size again this year.

For Kamo Zae Mangu, Marley Murphy and Nikau Graham were probably thier best, while KK had Sam Parkes playing at 7, was one of thier best, while thier 10 Mason Frear had his moments.

Man I hate how players chahoo and clap knock ons or little errors.

The Whangarei Prem comp starts today, by all accounts teams have been getting good numbers, Otamatea have rejoined the Prems too, making an even number of teams after Waipu pulled out in 2024 I think it was.

Last years champs, Mid Northern look strong again, despite a lightweight 2nd row of Darcy Holwell and Ashton Williams (both sons of former Taniwhas) have a pack that will lead the way with some good depth too.

Even without Rob and Brady Rush thier match day side looks good.

Are some new names showing up for the like of Kamo, Sharks, Moerewa, Hora Hora, so hopefully they can push MN.

unsure why the table hasnt updated, but MN are clear top, maybe Kamo and Wellsford swap due to points diff, although Wellsford beat them last week, so unsure if the table shows that.

@taniwharugby cheers buddy
Hopefully we will see some improvement in a couple of teams once they get players back
Whilst it’s great to see Otamatea back in top grade I fear for them especially when they come against the likes of Mid Northern
Hearing some really good things about OBM young team but well coached by Derrin Whitcombe and Ziggy Seymour
I guess can’t go wrong with that sort of quality
In charge

Superb win from HH against UK/Moerewa away ,Henare Pairangi was outstanding scoring 3 tries,Josh McRae slotting into fullback just as impressive
Unfortunately Dan Hawkins gone for the season with knee injury

Also agree with your coms re players acting like trained seals whenever a team knocks on ,or there’s a scrum penalty even in the act of try scoring

Some interesting results with all games played last night.
MN rolled on, dealing to Hikurangi 60-10 or something (app says 38-10, but thier socials say otherwise)
And in the competition for 2nd
HH upset the Sharks in Dargaville 13-22
KK at home, upsetting Morewa/United Kawakawa 20-17
Wellsford too strong for newly promoted Otamatea, 48-0
and in the other upset (IMO) Kamo away to OLd Boys Marist, getting up 5-27

@taniwharugby younger brother of Cole Forbes,Grady was the best player on the paddock for Horahora
Has been pulled into the Northland HP
Looking very likely to be signed by the Taniwha

Club results on a stormy afternoon

Hora Hora 13 - 12 Kamo
Kerikeri 13 - 22 Western sharks
Hikurangi 10 - 24 Wellsford
OBM 45 - 19 Otamatea
Mid Northern 28 - 6 Moerewa-United Kawakawa

No real surprises in any results there, although the HH v Kamo one was a coin toss and the result proves it.

The new useless app they are using (last year as well) has only updated half the games on the ladder.

No change to top 2, MN, Wellsford and then OBM and HH round out top 4.

A pretty competitive round in warm but windy conditions today.

Results:
Otamatea 15 - 34 Kerikeri
Kamo 15 - 31 Mid Northern
Hora Hora 22 - 21 Old Boys Marist
Western Sharks 34 - 25 Hikurangi
United Kawakawa/Moerewa 35 - 34 wellsford

Watching some results, Kamo lead MN at halftime 10-0, but overwhelmed in the 2nd half, while Wellsford were leading UK/M inside the last minutes only to be be pipped at the end.

I went along to the HH v OBM game, and it turned out to be a pretty good game.

HH have recruited well with some real young talent, none more so than FB Josh McRae and centre Henare Parangi who were both part of the WBHS 1st 15 and 7s last year.

These 2 were key to most of the good that HH did out there, with McRae who is probably lucky if he is 80kg making 2 try saving tackles in the 1st 5 mins, one around the ankles to stop a rampaging #8 Aisea Tuifeleaki who looked like he was >120kg.

McRae in fact scored a cracking try with pace and footwork, that turned out to be the matchwinner as HH were trailing 21-17 inside the last 10.

For HH, McRae, Parangi, hooker Heath McEwan, Eslie Fono and Fanguna Fifita were all very good, although McEwans throwing was a worry, but the front row of Fono, Mcewan and Fifita was dominant at scrumtime.

For OBM, Tuifeleaki was strong with ball in hand, Austin Ryburn at 9 was always a threat, while FB Judah Andrews was probably thier best, always dangerous from the back running it back and safe on D.

Loved watching McRae play today though, probably the best on the park, calm and assured at the back, good decisions, brave defender, a fantastic boot and good pace, looks a real talent, like a number of others I hear are making the step up this year.

Again, useless app hasnt updated the table, but table should be:
Mid Northern 25
Wellsford 18 (table shows 16)
Hora Hora 17
Western Sharks 15
OBM also on 15, but Sharks in 4th on points.

@taniwharugby McRae is special along with Henare Pairangi they are both Taniwha players in waiting

Newly promoted, bottom of thentable Otamatea defaulted to top of the table MN today.

The big result was 3rd place HH tipping over 2nd placed Wellsford at home, 0-15

All other results went to script, although MUKK handing Kamo a hiding was a surprise, 59-12 I think (daft app is playing up again)
OBM hosting the Sharks got up 20-13
Hikurangi went down to Kerikeri 15-25

As i keep saying, the race is for 2nd - 4th and seems quite competitive while Mid Norrhern keep on keeping on.

At one point KK were up 17-15 over MN, but MN ended up piling on the points winning 17-69, what's worse is, thier kickers only managed 2 from 13 attempts.

Wellsford 17 - 7 Old Boys Marist
Sharks 29 - 24 Kamo
Otamatea 31 - 42 Morewa United Kawakawa
Hora Hora 22 - 28 Hikurangi

I went along to the Hora Hora game, and this was a tight affair with the lead swapping multiple times throughout.

HH never really benefited from thier stronger scrum and were unable to close it out with Hika scoring the winner in the final 5 mins.

For Hora Hora as you'd expect, Esile Fono was prominent, good to hear he seems to have taken a leadership role with plenty of talking. his front row partner, hooker Heath McEwan (believe he was in Otago system before heading up here) was again busy, getting on the scoreboard again too, reminds me of a bigger version of Tim Dow.

With several key players out, others had thier moments but were inconsistent and not able to drive take control.

Hikurangi's 9, Cleve Barrell is a strong player, decent pass but just does good things.
1st 5, Ropati Mikaele Ta'avao controlled the game well for the visitors, while centre Aminiasi Koroi was a constant threat with ball in hand.

Both teams left some points out there and HH could feel aggrieved at the loss, but had Hika not won, the same could be said for them.

Ladder after 7 rounds
Mid Northern - 35
MUKK - 23
Wellsford- 22
Hora Hora - 22
Sharks - 21
OBM - 19

Then 6 points back to Kamo and Kerikeri on 13, Hikurangi 11 and Otamatea on 1, who i might add were in the hunt today but for a late try, so a top effort for them against one of the consistent performing teams of the past few years.

@taniwharugby that battle for the top 4 is going to be interesting
Had a mate who played for Hikurangi back in the day he mentioned a lad that played in the 7 jersey for Hikurangi 2nd name Gunsun ..?

@Steven-Harris Caden Gunson.

Yeah he did well for a little guy, got a couple of good t/o, unsure how old he is and therefore much growth in him.

Dunno if hes any relation? @gunner

With both games on in town today going to be big scoring games, I decided to get my 1st look at table.topping Mid Northern as they visited OBM.

Almost to a man, MN are better, bigger and certainly are well coached.

It was briefly 7 all, and after a very well taken try by OBM I had hopes it might be competitive, sadly, it wasn't.

I actually bailed 5 mins after half time with OBM trailing 7-45, although it was the rain and cold westerly that made me head off.

The app said the final score was 7-57, but had no scores after 57 minutes, and not showing as the final score, so I am dubious...

Anywho, MN look well coached, quality across the board, also some good sized players too, with several of the younger players fronting, Holwell, Stewart x 2, Warehu, Duncan, Heremaia, Clyde, Love (who was doing the goal kicking instead of 1st 5 Jade Stewart)

For OBM, halfback Austin Ryburn was sharp for about 20 mins but fell away as his pack were overwhelmed and OBM made numerous unforced errors, many leading to MN scoring. Judah Andrews, usually at FB is a player i am a fan of and would love to see given a shot up the next level, oozes class. Was at 13 today and was good in the 1st half, scoring the opening try with a strong.angled run.

In the other games, 1 big upset with Kerikeri thumping Hora Hora 43-26

Rest of results largely as expected.
MuKK 38 - 24 Hikurangi
Kamo 87 - 7 Otamatea
Western Sharks 26 - 20 Wellsford

Updated table (app not updated)
Mid Northern - 40
MUKK - 28
Sharks - 26
Wellsford- 23
HH - 22
OBM - 19
Kamo - 18
KK - 18
Hikurangi- 13
Otamatea- 1

Def a good fight for 2nd - 4th.

Didnt get out for a watch on weekend, only game in town looked like another big win for MN on the cards, plus Miss TR had her school ball so had other stuff anyway.

Results and table below, all results went to script.

Went along to watch Kamo host Moerewa-United.

4 weeks ago MUKK put 59 past Kamo, but in a huge reversal, Kamo took it 33-7 on a cool breezy day.

MUKK were own worst enemies in the 1st half making several poor decisions leading to turnovers or huge losses in field position with the wind at thier backs.

Despite being under the pump at scrumtime, Kamo had the upper hand in all other aspects across the park.

As always MUKK were physical, with many of thier pack willing runners, none more so than 6 Rory Sangster, 8 Lewis-John Maihi and Axel Goodhue, who ruined a good afternoon by flying into a scuffle from 20m away and getting binned.

In the backs Josh Davis looked sharp running things from 10, while Hoani Reid, who was strong on defence barely saw the ball, but when he did looked impressive.

For Kamo it was a good team performance, great defence, with a couple of real standouts in young lock Callum MacRury, 8 Zae Mangu and his brother, prop Jarvaihas was putting in some big hits against the hard running opposition.

In the backs, big centre Alec Tipene ran hard and straight all day while holding his line on defence.

The app has been playing up all afternoon with no other results being finalised.

Top of the table Mid Northern were trailing Hikurangi at the last update 15-17 which would have been just before half time, so it would have be nice if hika pushed on to hold onto a win, but I'm doubtful.

Table obviously not ipdated either.

Edit - added table

with club rugby taking a break last weekend so the players could celebrate the Kings birthday, the action kicked off again today.

There was 1 massive upset with Hikurangi who sit 2nd to last, rolling the Sharks who were 2nd 15-12.

Outside that result, the rest went pretty much to script:
Kerikeri 52 - 14 Otamatea
HH 24 - 49 Moerewa United-Kawakawa
Wellsford 0 - 29 Mid Northern
Hikurangi 15 - Sharks 12

The other game was the one I went along to, Kamo hosting Old Boys Marist..

In the end Kamo won comfortably 33-10, but it was only the final 15 or so when Kamo got out beyond a single score.

A game that had some messy stuff along with some superb skills and hard defence.

Kamo spent long passages on defence in the 1st half, but lead by 8, Zae Mangu they kept knocking OBM back.

OBM did blow at least 2 tries i the 1st half too, 1 drop with the line open and then another weirdly opting to pass when he fell he was over the tryline, and the pass went to deck.

Kamo benefitted from 2 intercept tries, one in each half, but they looked dangerous on attack with 1st 5 Nikau Graham running things and despite his prop-like build still has a good turn of pace to test the defence, couple with a good kicking game, he was one of thier better players, along with fullback Jacob Lowther who used his boot to good effect as well, but also showing he has a good turn of pace to beat men on the outside. Also liking the look of Callum McRury, a loosie playing lock for Kamo.

For OBM, FB Joel Young made some incisive runs in the 1st half but was less effective in the 2nd, while centre Ross Gladish is one of those off players that always makes some excellent plays, but soon after follows up with some howlers, he did end up getting carried off, unsure the injury, in the hip/groin area, but heard his scream when got cleaned out and injured. Prop Troy Cullen was always on hand to cart the ball up and knock attackers back when they ran down his channel.

Ladder:
Mid Northern -55
Moerewa-UKK - 38
Sharks - 33
Kamo - 33
Wellsford - 33
Hora Hora - 28
Kerikeri - 25
OBM - 24
Hikurangi - 16
Otamatea - 2

Chris Apoua has been released by Northland and NZ Rugby to pursue an overseas contract (unable to confirm where at this stage)

In another new development Solomon Alaimalo’s request to head overseas has been blocked by NZ Rugby hence he’s decided to stay at Northland for the 2026 Bunnings NPC
Alaimalo was looking to head to the Newport Dragons , weird decision from NZ Rugby given he’s part of MP , I can understand Apoua being released because of his age

@Steven-Harris
Alaimalo
Strange, cant see why he'd be blocked.
he has been around a long time as well.

@mohikamo Nothing surprises me with the evil empire

@Steven-Harris said in Northland Rugby 2026:

the evil empire

Cripes

Lucas Casey will be turning out for Kerikeri this weekend when they take on Western Sharks in Dargavile in Northland Men’s premier rugby
Interesting I’m sure there’s nothing in this ,just home with family for a couple of weeks

@Steven-Harris said in Northland Rugby 2026:

Lucas Casey will be turning out for Kerikeri this weekend when they take on Western Sharks in Dargavile in Northland Men’s premier rugby
Interesting I’m sure there’s nothing in this ,just home with family for a couple of weeks

I mentioned in the ABs thread he was straight into club rugby this weekend. Keeping rugby fit. Only him and Jim Tavatavanawai were the regulars playing on the weekend.

An interview where he is asked if he is ever tempted by the Blues.

A few NPC (re) Signings announced recently:

Re-signings

• Jordan Lay (although are concerns with concussion)
• Sam Nock
• Esile Fono (Hora Hora prop, in Blues WTG)
• Josh Renton (great news with the hand injury to Nock)

New Signings

• Heath McEwan (hooker at Hora Hora - new to Northland region, has been through Otago system I believe, reminds me a bigger version of Tim Dow)
• Junior Fifita (prop at Hora Hora - also new to Northland region, although thought he had done his knee a few weeks back)

Otago CEO Richard Kinley has pulled a fast one after initially agreeing to let Lucas Casey play in Northland Rugby on Saturday he’s had a change of mind and Casey will no longer turn out for Kerikeri
Really disappointing for many locals ,family and friends who had caught wind Lucas was turning out for his home town and were all making the trip across to Dargaville
Heard Lucas was a bit annoyed by this decision Pretty short sited stuff from Kinley imo

@Steven-Harris

Wonder what Richard has got lined up for him on Saturday then . . . DH

@mohikamo who knows

@Steven-Harris would seem strange to pull him out at last minute, even if he is in AB frame, plenty of them still have 2 weeks of rugby ahead, shame, would have been a good run for him in the Kaihu Valley!

His Dunedin club has the bye and he hasn't been named in the Shield side.

@taniwharugby shame Terrell Peita and Eslie Fono were’nt released i’m convinced both would have made a big difference for HH

Spot on about Grady Forbes ,hes quality

Stopped into watch the MUK v MN today
MN after being rattled early got their game together at the 25m nark and cruised to a 47-22 to win
Jade Stewart at 10 for MN was outstanding Ben Love at halfback was sharp around the base and his support play first c̄lass
Matt Le toga was best of the MN pack ,great to see Zak Shanks back
Got through 40 minutes well before being replaced

For MUK ,none played better than Josh Davis started at Fullback could easily slot into 10
Kicks reasonbly well from hand an the tee

Lucas Reid at 8 ,younger brother of Hoani went well
Not overly sizeable but carries big
A youngster for the Kade Maioha on the wing only 70 kgs but has great footwork and a rugby brain

@taniwharugby i can remember Mike Robinson being the halfback for Otamatea when they made the semi final over a decade ago
Shane Neville ,Matt Moulds and Dan Hawkins were also in the team
Former Alk Black halfback Dean Kenny was the coach
Lost to Mid Northern in the bog at Hukerenui Wellsford i recall went on to win the title that year
Wright Brothers and Ranger all at their best

@Steven-Harris Was that thenyear Vainakolu tore shit up?

@Steven-Harris said in Northland Rugby 2026:

Spot on about Grady Forbes ,hes quality

He is a good prospect. Forbes went through the Chiefs system but seemed to lack opportunities at BOP.

@taniwharugby 21 year old Fetuʻu Vainikolo and 19 year old Rene Ranger terrorised most club defences in Northland club rugby back 2006/2007 ,Vanikolo held the club try scoring record up until last year Mid Northern wing Petero Ratumaitavuku finally breaking the record

@taniwharugby great to have Josh back will add plenty of experience along with Caird and Craig
Young Ashton Williams is heading down to Waikato to study so he’s unavailable for the Northland U20s which is unfortunate
Looks to be growing and doesn’t look that far off his Dad Bryce who was 6’8

Ah I forgot he was off, seems daft he can't play for the u20s this year when he has played club here this season.