A shift in the balance of rugby power has seen Far North players turn longstanding domination by their Whangarei counterparts on its head.
This remarkable purple patch by players hailing from the Hokianga, Mangonui and Bay of Islands sub-unions began when the Bay of Islands senior reps upset favourites Whangarei to win the prestigious Harding Shield at the end of 2011.
The Bay side went on to successfully defend the shield last year but many supporters were left disappointed when they saw how few players were selected for the Northland national provincial side.
Their cause gained momentum when, earlier this year, players from all three Far North sub-unions helped the North Zone Maori secure the Johnny Isaacs Memorial for the first time in two decades; and, from there, a good number went on to play for the Northland side which took out the Northern Region Maori rugby tournament in Waitakere last month.
Seen above displaying this hat-trick of championship success at Kerikeri earlier this month are Brent Hewitt (the Bay of Islands sub-union chairman who also managed the North Zone Maori seniors this year and the Bay's Harding Shield winning team), Ace Barlow (from Kerikeri), Justin Davies (captain North Zone Maori, hailing from Moerewa, and also a contracted player for the Northland ITM Cup side), Reece Te Nana (Moerewa) and Shaun Haynes (Okaihau-based coach of all three winning sides); while among those unable to make the shoot were Renata Poa (co-manager of the North Zone and Northland Maori sides), and AJ Johnson (from Ohaeawai, Harding Shield team co-coach).
To further celebrate the trifecta, Haynes plans to tour the three trophies to Far North rugby clubs this coming season to allow local supporters to bask in the success as well. The trophies have been on display over the past few weeks at Thomas' Fish Shop in Kaikohe run by Percy Cooper (a former Kaikohe and North Auckland rugby player and stalwart) and his wife Cherie.
However, Haynes was one of many convinced those results demanded more attention by the Northland selectors.
"It shows the pathway is still there," he said.
Haynes' comments reflect those made recently by Warren Dunn, recognised with the best player award, a commemorative ring valued at $2000, at the 2013 Northern Region Maori Rugby Tournament finals at Waitakere. Dunn said Maori rugby was definitely a step-up from a club rugby scene still regarded as the pathway to ITM Cup and offered players with Maori heritage more opportunities.
"It's definitely a good stepping stone if they were looking or wanting to play rugby for Northland," Dunn said.
Meanwhile, Haynes predicted this year's Harding Shield could be the most fiercely contested in the history of the event following the Bay's successful defence in 2012. The first shield challenge was set to be played around Anzac Day, and there was talk of the Hokianga sub-union entering a team this year for the first time in many years.