Rugby League: Split series keeps rivalry simmering

Alex Smits

Rugby League Northland [RLN] once again welcomed the Australia's Woden Rams U16s from Canberra to Northland for two transtasman matches recently.

With 2015 being the third year the Australian side has made the trip across the ditch, the original link between the Rams and Northland traces back to an unlikely connection.

Established by Kalani Going - a grandson of North Auckland legend Brian Going, and also a nephew of rugby league Stars Thomas and Kylie Leuluai - the idea for the exchange began when he started playing junior league for the Rams while part of the Canberra Raiders NRL Academy.

When the Rams came to Northland last year, they played Otaua and lost then played Otaika in a game that went down to the wire for a draw.

Playing with their best feet forward against the Australian rivals once again, Otaua managed a good 28-18 win over the Rams in Kaikohe last week, however, the Otaika side handed the Rams a convincing 40-16 victory at Fishbone Park last Friday.

In addition to the building rivalry between the Rams and the Northland teams, the first year saw two Rams teams visit - each playing two games - and the ledger was shared with the Northland teams winning two games and the Rams winning two.

-iSPORT, the foundation started by Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Ali Williams, presented 200 rugby balls to RLN at the conclusion of the Rams vs Otaika match.

Designed to be a grass roots programme aimed to get more participation into sport and provide a pathway for youth, administrators and coaches, RLN general manager Alex Smits was rapt with the donation.

"Many schools simply don't have enough balls or sport equipment for their kids," Smits said.

"One of the reasons they don't continue in sport is that they simply don't have enough equipment.

"We want to encourage ongoing participation in rugby league that continues throughout the year," he said.