Harding Shield lads in squad

Club rugby's in form players have been given a foot in the door by Northland's ITM Cup coaches, but there is nothing being promised just yet.

Taniwha head coach Derren Witcombe has said even though a 48-strong wider training squad has been announced, not much can be read into the squad other than those players were in form and possibly in line for Taniwha or Northland B honours.

"There's no certainty about these guys," Witcombe said. "We've invited new guys to the squad but who have showed strong Harding Shield form ... [and we, Northland selectors, are] just seeing if they're going to be up for our level, and guys who'll be playing for Bs. There are no definite selections yet."

Witcombe added that selections from Harding Shield were important because essentially the top club rugby players would make Harding Shield sides.

"We've picked them from Harding Shield games, and that's where we want to go down the track so there is a pathway to selection [for Northland]."

He said he and his ITM Cup assistant, George Konia, were happy with what they had seen so far in the Harding Shield, adding that he and Konia were surprised. "There's a lot more talent out there than we were aware of," Witcombe said. "It's good that there seems to be a bit of buy-in from the clubs and players. We want to get everyone back passionate about Northland rugby and their clubs. I think we've got a bit of traction there but there's still a long way to go."

Kamo is the club which has contributed the highest number of players in the squad with seven, followed by Mid Northern with six, Old Boys Marist and Wellsford share third place with five players from each team making the squad.

Northland wider training squad: Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Whiria Meltzer, Jone Macilai (Awanui); Andrew Kaveinga (Ohaeawai); Owen Peihema, Willy Cherrington, Justin Davies (Moerewa); Sione Onesi, Jack Ram (Kerikeri); Beau Dickins, Ethan Crutcher, Dan Pryor, Mateo Malupo, Scott Vessey (Old Boys Marist); Adam Clarke, Ben Berridge, Karl Fourie (Mid Western); Chris Apoua, Dominic Ormsby, Jordan Olsen, William Whetton, Tane Takulua, Derek Carpenter (Mid Northern); Dan McCully (Waipu); Dean Kingi, Shane Neville, Travis Larsen, David Morgan (Otamatea); Josh Brown, Mac Sykes, Reuben Wright, Roy Griffen, Tyler Lansdowne, Matt Wallis, Bryce Williams (Kamo); Paddy Joe Atkins, Tyler Edwards, Rene Ranger, Ross Wright, Matty Wright (Wellsford); Star Timu (Hikurangi); Warren Dunn, Troy Woodman, Latiume Fosita, Villiami Tahitua (Hora Hora); Matt Matich, Willy Fotofili, Mulis Taukiavea (Western Sharks).