Rugby: Taniwha rue missed chances

David Holwell. Photo / Getty Images

As the players set the ambitious goal of a top-four finish, David Holwell piped up.

The wily first five-eighths pointed out that, in his time with the Taniwha, they had never finished higher than eighth. Maybe, he said, they should target the top seven and re-set their goals if that wasn't ambitious enough.

As it has transpired, Northland could so easily be in the top four mid-way through the ITM Cup. But they were beaten by North Harbour 25-24, gave up a big lead against Wellington (31-28) and gave Canterbury a fright before going down 27-23.

"They were all games we could have won," coach Bryce Woodward points out.

"We could have been in a very strong position."

They still are in decent shape but competition for one of the highly-prized top seven places is increasing and they will need to win consistently if they want a spot in next year's Premiership.

The form and enterprise of Northland and Counties Manukau has been two of the most exciting aspects of the ITM Cup. Neither were expected to figure too highly but their results have put pressure on more fancied teams like Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and even Waikato.

Woodward has proved a canny coach, and has been rewarded with a job as Blues assistant for 2011.

He took a risk, however, when it came to recruiting players to Northland. Woodward delved into the new law interpretations, concluding how he thought the game might change, and recruited players accordingly.

He brought in Dean Budd, Mark Burman, Simon Munro and Aaron Bancroft before Super Rugby had even started and everyone could see the difference the new law interpretations made.

"I think as Super Rugby unfolded, we saw the decisions were right," Woodward says. "We still haven't got the perfect profile. I think we are near the bottom in terms of dollars spent. In that respect, we have a very healthy looking profile."

It should result in greater representation at Super level. Rene Ranger and Jared Payne are already contracted to the Blues for 2011, while prop Bronson Murray will play for the Highlanders.

As many as seven others are being considered, including Budd, Dan Pryor, Burman, Pat O'Connor and Rhyan Caine. Whether they pick up full or wider-training group contracts is still up for debate.

There is a perception Northland players will get a good hearing around the Blues selection table with Woodward involved but, as he points out, he knows player's gremlins as well as their strengths.

Northland have some key matches ahead of them, starting with today's trip to Otago. They then follow that up with games against Counties Manukau (A), Waikato (H), Hawke's Bay (A), Tasman (A) and Bay of Plenty (H). They will need to win more than they lose but Northland are capable of doing that.

Their set piece has struggled, and it's one area they are working hard on to improve, and they are only a couple of injuries away from their depth being tested. But there's a resilience and quality about the Taniwha that was missing for so long.