Rugby: Goodhue, Wright re-sign for Northland

Northland prop Ross Wright is their most capped player with 82 appearances in the Cambridge Blue. Photo / Getty Images

A vital pair of cogs in the forward pack have extended their contracts with Northland in the Mitre 10 Cup.

Lock Josh Goodhue and prop Ross Wright will remain in the Cambridge Blue until 2020 and 2019 respectively in a coup for the improving side.

Both Goodhue and Wright have been impressing in a struggling Blues outfit, giving themselves every opportunity of being selected on a week to week basis.

Goodhue had been industrious at lock before a bout of concussion gave him a spell on the sideline.

Wright meanwhile has made the most of a pair of starts after making sporadic appearances off the pine, gaining his third consecutive starting nod at loosehead prop as they look to take on the Hurricanes tonight.

Fellow Northland players hooker Matt Moulds, flanker Kara Pryor and halfback Sam Nock are on the bench for the match.

Wright adds a wealth of experience to the table and, at 82 games played, is the most capped Northland player and could crack the century in 2019.

Meanwhile two new signings have been made as Northland look to continue to build on a semifinal appearance in 2017.

Former Waikato flanker Kane Jacobson, who has been impressing in an unbeaten Kamo outfit, has signed on as well as former Auckland prop Isileli Tu'ungafasi.

Jacobson made seven appearances at Mitre 10 Cup level before making the move up north, adding to the depth of loose forwards currently signed in Matt Matich, Kara Pryor and Dan Pryor.

Tu'ungafasi, the younger brother of All Black Ofa, is a former New Zealand under-20 representative and has made 19 appearances in the Mitre 10 Cup.

He has been playing for Mid Northern.

Coach Derren Witcombe is retaining a strong core of players from their 2017 campaign with 18 players returning.

Northland made a significant leap last season after accumulating just one victory in the 2015 and 2016 seasons combined.

However a vastly improved defensive line and industrious performances took Northland into the semifinals for the first time since 2014, losing to eventual champions Wellington 49-21.

The Mitre 10 Cup kick-off is still months away with Northland's opening fixture, an away battle with North Harbour, set for August 16.

Northland Mitre 10 Cup squad:

Hookers: Jordan Olsen (27), Matt Moulds (45)
Props: Ropate Rinakama (10), Ross Wright (82), Jack Straker (0), Isileli Tu'ungafasi (0)
Locks: Josh Goodhue (22), Murray Douglas (10), Tom Robinson (5)
Loose forwards: Matt Matich (18), Kara Pryor (38), Dan Pryor (63), Kane Jacobson (0)
Halfbacks: Sam Nock (27), Jono Kitto (0)
First five: Jack Debreczeni (0)
Midfielders: Jack Goodhue (9), Scott Gregory (0), Blake Hohaia (5), Tamati Tua (16), Regan Verney (0)
Outside backs: Jordan Hyland (29), Jone Macilai (36), Matt Wright (38)