Far North sides prepare to enter the Taniwha

2014 Taniwha Shield

Once again, the Northland's sub unions are preparing to do battle in the annual Northland Primary Schools Rugby event, the Taniwha Shield. The event, know this year as the Dave Culham Taniwha Shield, is being held at the Kaiwaka Sports Complex from next Tuesday to Saturday, July 8-12.

The event is contested by players weighing under 57kg and under 13 years old, and offers the first chance for junior rugby players to earn Northland selection and represent their province at the Roller Mills tournament later in the year.

As per tradition, the Age will monitor the progress of the Far North sides teams in the event, including Mangonui (the defending champions) Bay of Islands, and Hokianga.

MANGONUI: The main focus for the Mangonui team in this year's event is on blooding in a completely brand new side rather than attempting to retain the trophy won last year. The side won its sole pre-tournament game against Hokianga on Sunday, June 24, at Broadwood Area School, emerging the victors by one try. Coach Perry Hanara said there was a very good team unity within the camp and all the players enjoying a bonding session at a noho marae [sleepover] at the Pukemiro kura last weekend. He also told the players to really express themselves at the event.

"[I told them to] Play like you're in the backyard, play like you're enjoying yourselves."

The Mangonui team are, Ezra Taylor, Michael Neeson, Xavier Walding, Sidney Pomare, Michael Tangimetua, Hoani Manuel, Adam Pomare, Maui Perene, Tane Leef (Takahue); Allan Craig, Bailey Lunjevich, Kiarn Reihana Ngatote, Jordan Taraves, Taitimu Murray (Rarawa); Henare Leef, Cale Gore, Zachary Shanks, Reno Leef Nathan (Kaitaia); Bailey Foster, Ben Donnelly, Tane King (Eastern); Kobie Scutt (Awanui).

BAY OF ISLANDS: Bay head coach Paul Halvorsen said the side was going into the event hoping to improve on the forgettable efforts of the past couple of years but noted it was always difficult to make predictions when the opposition was unquantifiable.

"We've got a good bunch of boys this year," Halvorsen said, noting that included four players who had been to last year's tournament. The side squeaked past Rodney Otamatea in a pre-season clash last month, and also had a good run against a Bay under-13 selection, in which it was able to test itself against some older and heavier boys.

The Bay of Islands sub union's 22-strong Taniwha Shield team is as follows. Remus Leaf, Andrew Nimmo, Tytan Moir-Kelly, Addalicent Croft, Wade Hodgson (Kaikohe); Tiaki Rhodes, Keenan Rush, Chad Boyed (Kaeo); Dylan Thomas, Lucas Casey, Mason Frear, Matthew Wihongi, Tommo Brown, Quintin Cotton, Leighton Hamuera, Logan Gaualofa (Kerikeri); Troy Hona, Dejay Palmer, Nuki Wiki, Quade George, Shawn Hunt, Whitiora Haunui-Tipene (Moerewa). Coaches: Paul Halvorson, Neil Miller and Sam Brown; manager Kylie Harper.

The Hokianga management were unavailable for comment as this edition went to press yesterday afternoon.

JMB DRAW CHANGE: With the Taniwha Shield tournament commencing next week, players involved are unavailable to play for their clubs in domestic rugby this Saturday. The following changes have been made to the Mangonui JMB draw for this Saturday: In the under-11s, North Hokianga vs Awanui/Waipap will now be played at Awanui at 10.30am; and in under-13s, the Waipap v Rarawa, and North Hokianga v Takahue matches have been cancelled.