Pryor, Eyre added to line-up for Taniwha

COMING HOME: Cam Eyre has returned to Northland after some time overseas and has been signed by the Taniwha. PHOTO/FILE

Next year's Northland ITM Cup team is taking shape with the services of Dan Pryor and former Taniwha loose forward Cam Eyre secured.

So far 18 players have signed with Northland for next season.

The signing of Pryor and Eyre gives Northland's forward pack a robust shape as they join Ben Berridge, Owen Pihema, and Jack Ram, who have already been locked in.

Northland Rugby Union chief executive officer Jeremy Parkinson acknowledged Pryor was a significant signing after he came close to securing a Super 15 contract.

"Pryor was a key signing. He was the [NRU] Player of the Year and Player's Player of the Year, so he had a very good year," Parkinson said.

"He was on the cusp of Super Rugby selection, and it'll be his fifth year with the team, so he's very important.

"We're also happy to have Cam Eyre back too."

He added that while Eyre was looked at last season he was unavailable due to work commitments, so his signing for next year was another significant one.

"He brings experience and leadership back in, having had three previous seasons with the Taniwha before taking a couple years off to take an OE in Scotland."

Other players from this year's team to be signed on include midfielder Viliami Tahitu'a and winger Jone Macalai.

"[Tahitu'a] only played half the season because he picked a pretty serious ankle injury, but he was probably the stand-out player in club rugby last season.

"We're pretty excited to have him back," Parkinson explained. "[Macalai] is a world-class sevens player. We brought him out pretty green. He was only 75kg [but] we've got him up to almost 85kg - and that's all muscle. We're hopeful to get a full season out of him."

Parkinson also confirmed contracts were in front of Whiria Meltzer and Matt Wright, which would take the total number of contracted players to 20.

Last season the Taniwha used 34 players in total, meaning between 10 and 15 contracts are up for grabs for local club rugby players.

Parkinson said the same policy was being used as last season with regard to picking local and drawing from the Northland B team when injuries crept into the ITM Cup side.

"We'll just see if guys are showing good form [in the club rugby season] and we'll commit to them, but it's important we leave the door open otherwise it defeats the purpose of having a club competition. There are spots available in every position.

"Everyone in our [Northland] B team will need to be playing club rugby in Northland and if we pick up injuries in the ITM Cup we'll be going straight to our B team, same as last year."

Confirmed players for next year's ITM Cup team are: Justin Davies, Willgriff John, Ross Wright, Robbie Abel, Matt Moulds, Tom Murday, Bryce Williams, Ben Berridge, Cam Eyre, Dan Pryor, Owen Pihema, Jack Ram, Tane Takulua, Dan Hawkins, Latiume Fosita, Viliami Tahitu'a, Winston Stanley, Jone Macalai.