Rene Ranger and Joseph Parker have not caught up since the Fight for Life, so it's no wonder the pair were chuffed to be reunited after Ranger's Taniwha squad finished training at Kensington Park.

Some of Whangarei's top swimmers will get a taste of international competition as they look to make waves at the Victorian State Championships in Australia.

It wasn't pretty but the Northland Taniwha notched up their opening win of the ITM Cup competition by beating Southland 13-9.