Northland (National Provincial Championship)

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For the Northland Rugby governing body and more information about rugby in the Northland region, see Northland Rugby Union.

Northland
Northland rugby logo.png
The official logo of the NRU
UnionNorthland Rugby Union
Nickname(s)Taniwha
Founded1920; 102 years ago (1920)
LocationWhangārei, New Zealand
Ground(s)Semenoff Stadium (Capacity: 18,500)
CEOCameron Bell[1]
Coach(es)George Konia
Captain(s)Jordan Olsen
Most appearancesWarren Johnston (161)
Top scorerWarren Johnston (1,666)
Most triesNorm Berryman (71)
League(s)Bunnings NPC
20215th (Championship)
Team kit
Official website
www.taniwha.co.nz

Northland (often known as the Northland Taniwha) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Whangārei, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1920, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei in the Northland region. The team is affiliated with the Blues Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are sky blue.

Current squad[]

The Northland Taniwha squad for the 2021 Bunnings NPC.[2][3]

Northland Taniwha squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Half-backs (Scrum-halves)

First five-eighths (Fly-halves)

Midfielders (Centres)

Outside backs

(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped, REP denotes a replacement squad player.
  1. ^ Davies wasn't named in the original Northland squad, but was announced as in the squad for Round 4.[4]
  2. ^ Caird wasn't named in the original Northland squad, but was announced as signing ahead of round 1 in August 2021.[5]
  3. ^ Going wasn't named in the original Northland squad, but was announced as in the squad for Round 3.[6]
  4. ^ Roberts-Tenana wasn't named in the original Northland squad, but was announced as in the squad for Round 5.[7]

Honours[]

Northland have never been overall Champions. Their full list of honours, though, include:[8][9]

National Provincial Championship Second Division North Island
  • Winners: 1977 (as North Auckland)
National Provincial Championship Second Division
  • Winners: 1997

Current Super Rugby players[]

Players named in the 2021 Northland Taniwha squad, who also earned contracts or were named in a squad for any side participating in the 2022 Super Rugby season.[10][11][12][13][14]

Player Team
Sam Caird Highlanders
Jack Goodhue Crusaders
Josh Goodhue Blues
Scott Gregory Highlanders
Raikabula Momoedonu Drua
Sam Nock Blues
Rivez Reihana Chiefs
Tom Robinson Blues
Tamati Tua Blues
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa Drua

References[]

  1. ^ "Northland Rugby Union - Contacts". Northland Rugby. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  2. ^ "2021 Semco Northland Bunnings Warehouse NPC Squad". Northland Rugby Union on Facebook. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Championship Squads: Bunnings NPC 2021". Provincial Rugby. 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  4. ^ "The Semco Taniwha boys are off to Palmy this Saturday to take on the Turbos! Who are you looking forward to watching, Tanis fans?". @northlandrugby on Instagram. 24 September 2021. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  5. ^ "In conjunction with Principal Sponsor Semco Group, Northland Rugby can now confirm the return of Sam Caird for the 2021 Taniwha Bunnings NPC Campaign!". @northlandrugby on Instagram. 4 August 2021. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  6. ^ "We're back! Tune in this Saturday to see our Semco Northland Taniwha get back out on the paddock against the @tasmanmako". @northlandrugby on Instagram. 16 September 2021. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  7. ^ "He's back