Despite a record-breaking season, the 2014 Taniwha side is not happy with their ITM Cup Championship semifinal loss to Hawke's Bay in Napier.
Northland was taught a lesson in play-off footy from a Hawke's Bay side which boasts several Super Rugby players, the main being cashing in on opportunities.
Taniwha coach Derren Witcombe was not happy to come out on the losing side of the 26-21 scoreline from Friday night, but he stood by his team's efforts.
"We sure as hell weren't happy we lost but in saying that the boys never gave up," Witcombe told the Advocate. "It was just mistakes really, which were mainly uncharacteristic and you can't afford that in semifinal football.
"We probably created four or five try scoring opportunities but it was just that finishing off, the two we scored were bloody good and that's the style of footy we've been playing all season.
"We went in with the same attitude we've had all year [of throwing the ball around], and I think in hindsight I would have done the same again because it's how they [the team] play and it relaxes them.
"To me it was a bloody fast game of rugby and at times it felt like a test match, with a lower intensity of course."
While some may criticise options taken throughout the game, such as turning down a shot at goal to go for a try, you have got to be in to win.
On two occasions where penalty attempts were turned down the Taniwha crossed the line, although on one occasion the ball was lost forward.
Witcombe's attitude to the critics was simple: "You're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
"We always talk about wanting to play football we put it in the corner [from a penalty] and scored a try. At the end of the day we trust the players' judgment."
Encouragingly for Northland supporters, the team said after the game they weren't finished - saying they want to back it up next season.
Witcombe said about 20 of the players were already discussing contracts for next year, something which is needed to build on the successes of this season.
"We don't feel as a group we're done yet," he said. "It's not just about one good season, if we can have two or three of those that'll put our players in the minds of Super Rugby coaches which will help the region even more.
"It's just the guys learning to play at this intensity and level, along with a bit of fine tuning. We've made quite a few big positive changes this year but we're certainly going to aim to be better.
"What's also bloody great is our players are going to get noticed now."
While Witcombe is contracted with Northland until April, discussions were underway for the former All Black to continue as coach.