Rugby: Pryor commitment for bros

Taniwha co-captain Dan Pryor (left) and younger brother Kara have committed to another year with Northland. Photo / Michael Cunningham

You'd be hard placed to find a better brother-flanker-duo in New Zealand right now than Northland's Pryor brothers.

Therefore, retaining their lethal injection of competence and coherence within the loose forward trio has the Taniwha in good stead toward bettering the cringeworthy season of 2015.

With this year's ITM Cup in the rear-view mirror, Dan and Kara Pryor have signed on for another year with Northland, and both are hoping an increase in Super Rugby representation from the province can improve the 2016 scorecard.

"With so many of the boys leaving last year, and new coaches, I think it was always going to be hard for us to put in some good performances this year but it's behind us now," Dan said.

"I think it's good that there's so many boys out there... there's nine boys in Super Rugby coming back and coaches can start making moves early now so the guys that aren't in Super Rugby can get up to speed."

The roots/reggae tones of Dunedin band Six60's Don't Forget Your Roots appear to have rubbed off on Dan Pryor also.

After spending a year with the Highlanders Super Rugby franchise in the student-soaked, scarfie-strewn city of Dunedin, he knows his heart still lies in the North.

Lending him a shot at the big time, he credits much of his success to the lessons he's learnt in the Taniwha environment.

"Obviously this year wasn't the greatest but this for me is where my heart is and where it all started so I'm happy to sign on for another year," Dan said.

His brotherly influence seems to have rubbed off on Kara.

"Probably my biggest calling card was from him to come up North," Kara said.

"I'd just had a season in the ITM [with Auckland] so was in the programme and he was just telling me how good it was up here. I came up on a whim, wasn't promised anything and managed to get a contract which was good."

As for the 2016 ITM Cup, Dan believes experience at the next level will provide a huge boost to Northland's confidence.

"With this fulla going to the next level ... it's just going to add that extra confidence. I know I had it coming back from the Highlanders this year and even though my body wasn't up to it my mind was.

"We've learnt from a whole year now of getting smoked .

"I think why Super Rugby coaches are really starting to have a look at Northland boys [is] because no matter what happens, we know how to bar up."