Northland contest first final since the days of the Vikings

Northland’s last opponents in a provincial final were a Central Vikings side featuring former All Blacks Christian Cullen, Roger Randle, Danny Lee, Dion Waller and Mark Allen.

The Taniwha routed the Vikings 63-10 in that second division decider in the national provincial championship (NPC) of 1997, but the closest they’ve come to silverware since is three championship semifinal appearances after the competition split into its format of two divisions with crossover matches in 2011.

Success has been scant in the far north for many years but last Friday’s rip-roaring 32-19 victory against Otago in the deep south earned Northland their spot in the Mitre 10 Cup championship decider, where their opponents, Hawke’s Bay, are heavily favoured to lift the trophy in Napier tonight.

There is an odd similarity between the second-tier finals of 1997 and 2020. Twenty-three years ago, Northland were guaranteed promotion to the first division after New Zealand Rugby ruled the Vikings, who were disbanded the following year because of financial troubles, could not be promoted in the week of the final, essentially making its result irrelevant.

Likewise, the championship final this season could also be incidental because of the potential format changes for 2021.

Northland coach George Konia said there was growing self-belief in the squad after they beat premiership semifinalists Waikato to take third in the championship, ending a four-match losing streak and achieving their highest finish since 2014, before stunning Otago in the championship semifinals.

‘‘We had a really good team performance up there [in Kaikohe] and carried that into the semifinal against Otago,’’ Konia said.

‘‘We were a lot more patient than we have been through the latter part of our season, we built

because they don’t come around very often. The format might be different next year, but we can’t control that.’’

Konia said reaching the championship final was just reward for the fans who’d stuck by the Taniwha through thick and thin.

‘‘We’ve got some of the best supporters in the country. They’re seriously loyal and I’m sure we’ll get a good turnout [in Napier].’’

The Magpies retained the Ranfurly Shield for summer, including a successful defence (33-17) against Northland last month, topped the championship and they thrashed Taranaki 59-23 last Saturday to earn hosting rights for the final, scoring some breathtaking tries.