Ash Moeke has been signed by Northland to fill the boots of David Holwell for next year's ITM Cup campaign.
It is the first five-eighth's second spell with the Taniwha after being brought north by Mark Anscombe to act as Holwell's deputy during the 2008 season.
Moeke will be remembered by Taniwha
fans during that stint for kicking the penalty that rubbed salt into Auckland's wounds, in Northland's rare 21-13 victory over their big city rival at Eden Park, depriving them of a bonus point and a place in the quarter-finals.
The Grammar Carlton player was one of the form players in the Auckland Premier Competition this year but after establishing himself as the starting first five-eighth in 2009, he has been forced to play second fiddle to rising star Gareth Anscombe.
"The emergence of Gareth Anscombe this season has meant that Ash hasn't regularly been in the Auckland 22 [playing squad]. I know that Auckland would have liked to keep him for depth but they've acknowledged the kid needs game time so the best thing for his rugby is to come north," outgoing Northland Bryce Woodward said.
With Moeke amassing 30 first class matches, the 22-year-old is no new kid on the block.
"He's been with Northland before and he was a popular member of the side a couple of years ago so it's a good move for both parties," he said.
Moeke also got the thumbs up from skipper Jared Payne, who said he will add a lot to the team.
"Ash is a great player, he played really well when he last came up a couple of years ago and he's a good guy who'll fit in well with the team - he'll definitely be in line to compete with Lachie [Munro] for the No10 position - although the way that Lachie's played over the last season at fullback and on the wing he might consider himself an outside back now," Payne said.
With Munro enjoying his role as an outside back - and selected in that role in the 2011 Blues squad - it is likely that Moeke will get the chance to establish himself as the starting first-five in the Taniwha's 2011 campaign.
