Namatahi Waa has been picked for the Blues based on his versatility in being able to play both sides of the scrum. Photo / Tania Whyte
Namatahi Waa has been picked for the Blues based on his versatility in being able to play both sides of the scrum. Photo / Tania Whyte
One of the worst seasons in the history of Northland provincial rugby has, conversely, been backed up by a substantial rise in the number of Taniwha players contracted to Super Rugby franchises next year.
Nine of the current Taniwha squad will feature across various Super Rugby teams in 2016, with a further three Northlanders set to ply their trade in the competition as well.
Northland Rugby Union chief executive Jeremy Parkinson was under no elusion this is the best turnout from the region for some time, possibly ever.
Northland co-captain Matt Moulds has been given another shot with the Blues, this time under the reign of new head coach Tana Umaga. Photo / John Stone
"Even though it has been a poor season, we're judged by the NZRU around promoting players to the next level... this has been one of the better years in our history of promoting that many people to the next level - that's the irony of the whole season really," Parkinson said.
Lining up for the Blues from this year's Taniwha squad, co-captain Matt Moulds has been given another crack, while prop Namatahi Waa has earned his first Super Rugby call-up since making the Blues Development squad in 2014.
Additionally, loose forward Kara Pryor's breakthrough season with the Taniwha has spurred selectors to, hastily, get his signature down on paper, while Jack Ram's sterling efforts for Tonga in the 2015 Rugby World Cup haven't gone amiss.
"There has been a lot of detailed work gone into backgrounding a wide number of players and above all, establish which players have the right attitude and character to make a difference at the Blues," Blues head coach Tana Umaga said.
"The record of the club is there for everyone to see. Naming the squad is just the first step on a long road. There is so much hard work ahead every day not just over the 2016 season but over the coming years if we are to establish ourselves as a successful club."
Adding to Northland's long-awaited spike in players representing the Blues franchise, up-and-coming halfback Sam Nock will line up as a promising prospect in the halves, while Dan Bowden will offer a first five-eighth or second five-eighth option in the backline once he gets over a prolonged groin injury.
"I think it's just probably a bit of a legacy of the year before and then guys in a tough year performing pretty well, which Kara Pryor has done," Parkinson said of the players signing with the Blues.
"Namatahi was called into the Blues for a month last season and they were really impressed with him, and the fact that he can play both sides of the scrum is a reason he has been picked up as well."
Outside of the Blues' region, Northland co-captain Dan Pryor will front up for the Highlanders once again.
A force to be reckoned with during the southern franchise's build up to their 2015 Super Rugby title, Pryor's value has continued to glow through his outings with the Taniwha this year.
One Northland player looking to secure more Super level game time in 2016 will be Jone Macilai, who has signed on for another year with the Crusaders.
Also looking to make his mark at the next level, first five-eighth Dan Hawkins has signed on for one year with the Melbourne Rebels.
Conscious of the fact these players need to be retained if Northland are to have any chance in the 2016 ITM Cup, Parkinson said the lure of offshore contracts nearly nabbed a few.
"With the likes of Jack Ram and Namatahi [Waa] ... if they weren't picked up for the Blues, the big concern was that they could have been lost overseas."
Despite this, Parkinson is confident the recent raft of signings will bode well for Northland in the long run.
"It's great, it means that they stay around and we get them back, hopefully, as better athletes and better rugby players for ITM Cup.
"It adds experience to our ITM Cup for next year which was missing this year. We're really happy for all of the boys that have been selected, it's really good news."
Other Northlanders set to play in next year's competition include Rene Ranger (Blues), Kawakawa's NZ Under-20s and All Blacks Sevens star Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), and Kaitaia-born All Black James Broadhurst (Hurricanes).
