Winning NPC final would rank as our greatest achievement, Northland say

Northland are one win away from a piece of rugby history.

On Labour Day, the Taniwha will have the chance to claim their maiden first-division NPC title and cap a season that has reignited pride across the province.

Standing in their way are defending champions Canterbury, who will host Monday's final in Christchurch. But Northland have already shown they can beat the favourites, having stunned Canterbury on their own turf earlier this season to lift the Ranfurly Shield.

For lock Josh Goodhue, the prospect of taking the next step with the Taniwha is particularly special. The son of Northland life member Bernard Goodhue, and brother of former All Black and Northland midfielder Jack Goodhue, he has a lifelong connection to the provincial union.

"Ever since me and my brother were four or five years old, the old man would take us down and we'd sit on the terrace watching the Northland teams and I have heaps of memories of the likes of David Howell and Justin Collins running out there and just giving it their all," Goodhue said.

"As a kid the Northland jersey was the most important to us. The All Blacks jersey was great as well, but for me and Jack especially, that blue jersey meant so much to us growing up. We always wanted to represent Northland and to be in the team now and to be going to a grand final is just a dream come true."

Northland lock Josh Goodhue wins a lineout.

Craig Butland / Photosport

Canterbury will start as favourites on Monday, but Northland have reason to believe they can pull off an upset. Their 36-12 victory in Christchurch earlier this season to take the Ranfurly Shield off the hosts, proved they could match the defending champions on their home ground.

Northland no longer have the 'Log O'Wood', losing to Counties-Manukau in their final defence of the year, but Goodhue said the experience of that Shield run had prepared the team for the challenge ahead.

"It's just the experience of playing in such an intense game and knowing that we can win, that our systems work. Even just all the [Ranfurly] Shield defences through the year, those are pretty much playoff games for us. So that's valuable experience for for our boys, most of whom haven't played in an NPC playoff before."

That sense of belief extends beyond the playing group. Northland Rugby Union president and former captain Glenn Taylor, who played 143 games for the Taniwha, said the province is "buzzing" at the prospect of a historic title.

"The Taniwha have done a great job in lifting our spirits up here in the north.

"It's been a sort of a history-making season for us, really. We've got to the big dance and we haven't done that in first division in our history. Add in our little shield tenure and it's been fantastic."

Northland's Sam Nock poses with the Ranfurly Shield after his 100th game for the province.

Taylor is bullish about Northland's chances of upsetting Canterbury in the first NPC final to be held on Labour Day.

"I think I said before the Ranfurly Shield challenge that I thought we were a real chance and I stand by that for this weekend. I think we're a real chance, as good a chance as we've ever had."

Taylor said he always held hope Northland would win the NPC and he believes the current Taniwha squad is one of the best the union has ever assembled.

"This team has really taken our province to a new level. We know they've really honoured the jersey and done some great stuff this year. I talk to a lot of ex-players and we're just so proud of this group of men."

Taylor, who will be at Te Kaha Stadium on Monday to cheer his side on, said winning the NPC final would rank as the greatest achievement in Northland rugby history.

"Don't get me wrong, the Shield is such a magnificent thing and our tenure was fantastic. The boys are still hurting from that loss to Counties, but to get to the first division final, my personal belief is that's our greatest achievement and winning it would be just incredible."

The NPC grand final kicks off at 2:10pm on Monday.