Taniwharau Rugby League Club
The Taniwharau Rugby League Club is a rugby league club from Huntly, New Zealand. They compete in the Waikato Rugby League and WaiCoa club competitions. The club plays in a green and gold strip and are based at Waahi Pa Huntly.
 | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Colours | Green and Gold |
| Founded | 1944 |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) |
|
| Coach | Premier Coach: Harley Raihe Premier Reserve Coach: Chris Fox |
| Competition | Waikato Rugby League and WaiCoa Competition |
| Records | |
| Premierships | 14 |
| Waicoa Bay Premierships | 2002, 2007 |
History
Taniwharau, founded in 1944 by Tonga Mahuta, is the most successful club in Huntly, a town which once boasted four rugby league clubs, the Rangiriri Eels, Huntly South, Huntly United and Taniwharau.
The club won 11 straight Waikato premierships during the 1970-80's. Taniwharau also won the inaugural Waicoa Bay championship in 2002 and again in 2007 a year in which they went through the season unbeaten; a feat that has never been achieved before at the Waikato Rugby League Premier Level. Taniwharau were able to win the reformed Waikato Rugby League title in 2008 and 2009.[1][2]
Current players
2019 Premier Players: Harley Raihe (COACH)
Joel Thompson (Captain), Pawhare Brown (Vice Captain) Caleb McLean, Te Rongopai Murray, Mahinga Rangi, Jordan Tai-Rakena, Darren Kingi, Koroheke Moana-Taniwha, Alu Wilson, Malcolme Noda, Steven Kingi, Tamihana Morunga, Chase Kennedy, Duane Sykes, Reihana Tai-Rakena, Anaru Edwards, Mahana Toka, Epiha Kete, Kena Rangi, Joshua Toka, Brendon Irvine, Utah Wilson, Matawhaiti Nepe-Pohatu, Te Hemiona Nuku
2017 Premier Reserve Players: Clifford Moana (COACH)
Tame Moana (Captain), Utah Wilson (Vice Captain) Te Ranginui Taoho, Ari Just, Chris Meegan, Arama Moana, Pounamu Poihipi, Te Taonga Muru-Hauraki, Matawhaiti Nepe-Pohatu, Brendon Irvine, Jason Watkins, Teina Ngahiwi, Te Orumene Te Wara, Kuruki Nikau, Oratengakau Muru, Ruben Fourie, Wiremu Timoti, Russell Leef, Daniel Sutton, Anthony Goff, Teancum Timu, Shannonn Jolley, Heihoa Raihe, Tainui Raihe, Wiremu Waikai, Te Hemiona Nuku, Solomon Wilson, Zane Just, Chase Kennedy, Pawhare Brown, Tuhoro Paki, Reihana Muru, Blain Berryman
Notable past & present players
- Lance Hohaia (New Zealand International)[3]
- Wairangi Koopu (New Zealand international)
- Herewini Rangi (New Zealand Warriors player)
- Andy Berryman (New Zealand international)
- Steve Berryman (Cook Islands international)
- Don Parkinson (New Zealand international)
- Rick Muru (New Zealand international)
References
- "It's all gold for champions Taniwharau". Waikato Times. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- Devonshire, John (10 August 2009). "For Taniwharau it's a three-peat". Waikato Times. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. p. 83. ISBN 9781869693312.