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Northland draw confidence from Shield run ahead of quarter-final
Sport Nation • October 5th, 2026 10:10 am
Northland coach Ryan Martin and Rivez Reihana in the sheds with the Log o' Wood | Photo: John Davidson/Photosport
Northland head coach Ryan Martin believes his side’s run with the Ranfurly Shield has helped steel them for the NPC playoffs, as they gear up to face Tasman Mako in this weekend’s quarter-final.
The second-placed side head into the match having already beaten Tasman 20-10 in round five, just one week after stealing the shield from Canterbury.
“The shield gave us that opportunity to practise playoff football and this is where we wanted to be from the start of the season,” he told Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy.
“We've had four practices of what playoff football is about and we know the feeling and we know where you need to tighten the screws and kind of what opportunities you're going to get and making the most of them.
“So that's kind of set us up really well for this week.”
Sumo's emotional tribute to Northland lifting the Ranfurly Shield off Canterbury | Scotty & Izzy
Martin said the team also has extra motivation after some people doubted its early ambition for the season ahead.
“A few people laughed at me when I mentioned that we're going to win this competition, so we're kind of using that as motivation as well.”
Northland are also approaching the quarter-final with their strongest squad availability of the season, giving Martin a welcome selection challenge.
“We're actually back to full health,” he explained.
“Both Rush brothers are available for selection, which has been awesome. They've been out for obviously three weeks, which has been tough. Marcel Renata is back for selection. Hudson Creighton is back for selection.
Rob Rush | Photo: John Davidson/Photosport
“So that's probably the healthiest we've been and it's the first time I've had a little bit of selection pressure as well, which is pretty good.”
Despite the round-five win, Martin said Northland were frustrated by chances they failed to convert into points and will review those moments ahead of the rematch.
“We came out of that last match annoyed that we didn't nail a few opportunities. So that's actually going to be awesome for us because we're going to look at the things that we missed out on.”
Northland lifting the Ranfurly Shield off Canterbury | Photo: John Davidson/Photosport
Martin also shared Northland’s progress could also encourage local players to return to the region.
“I think a lot of what we're trying to do is bring hope as well to our region.
“A lot of the Northland players, they go away to varsity and polytechs around the country but we want them to come back to us.
“I think what we're doing shows that you can come up here, play awesome footy and put your hand up for Super Rugby selection and play a really cool brand of rugby as well.”
Listen to the full interview below:
