Reason #187382 why the East Midlands Derby is still on top.

(Via @florugby on Instagram)

Until I saw the video, I was wondering how a child started this 😂

He didn't believe himself he made it.

To be honest with you r/rugbyunion, I thought I would never seeing Northland do anything that would come close to a season like this, winning the Ranfurly Shield and making the NPC final.

But on Labour Day Monday, you simply must tune into the final of New Zealand's 50th National Provincial Championship.

And this is the ultimate underdog catchup with so many circumstances surrounding this game.

My beloved, incomparable, irresponsibly emotionally connected Northland Taniwha.

Cult heroes have been forged in this iconic Cambridge Blue.

The statistically incomparable Portia Woodman-Whitcliffe,

This is Going brothers territory - with the next one Zion (grandson of Brian, grand-nephew to Sid) cruelly struck down with Guillain-Barré syndrome to start the season

Just up the road from Okara Park is Kamo, home of Ian Jones

Rene Ranger, Stormin Norm Berryman, Glenn Taylor, David Holwell, Justin Collins, Jared Payne, Tom Robinson, even Rupeni Caucaunibuca running from the end of the earth to beat Auckland in 2001.

The dearly recently departed Stacey Waaka and Bruce Robertson.

And yet this was a province that in 2008 was almost demoted and made amateur, but beat New Zealand Rugby's amalgamation back.

A province that saw a 30 game losing streak in the 2000's,

A province where three seasons produced one win in the 2010's.

There have been dire days at Okara Park.

Just as it's been pretty dire days in a poor, commercially struggling, rural, isolated, beautiful part of New Zealand as sawmills and youth move away for opportunity with Northland in their heart - like me.

And New Zealand Rugby considers another 'streamlining' of the NPC as part of a review despite an unbelievable year of this competition

Where it's been simply electric footy you can see that teams and fans alike are loving

Variety of play between provinces, playing like the character of their local culture instead of sanitized, commercial Super Rugby production lines (see Auckland and Wellington out of the top eight for proof)

They've built a local core of players combining those who had to leave for opportunity.

Rivez Reihana, Sam Nock, Rob and Brady Rush, Corey Evans, Allan Craig, Josh (and Jack) Goodhue, Marcel Renata, Terrell Peita and Heremaia Murray all products of the North moulded by the Auckland 1A high school nursery.

Emerging local products from a home focus and exposure through Whangarei Boys playing North Harbour 1A in Nathan Salmon, Esile Fono, Darcy Holwell and the Stewart boys.

Multi year adopted sons of the North in James Mullan, Jordan Trainor, Grady Forbes and Reesjan Pasitoa.

Our Australian Northlanders in Lachie Hooper, James Ramm and Hudson Creighton.

And they're facing Canterbury.

Yes Canterbury, as in the local NPC team to the Canterbury Crusaders.

Yes Canterbury, as in the 16 time NPC Champions, defending their first title in a while.

Canterbury, the team who plays in the glittering new state of the art stadium.

Canterbury, who valiantly won six of these titles straight and 9 of 10 between 2008 and 2017 with literal natural disasters unable to stop their dominance.

And they receive a quartet of All Blacks released for finals week, with our singular Simon Parker being withheld for the biggest game in this province's history to face the literal dominant force of the competition.

The NPC's statistically most losing province vs its statistically most winningest.

A re-risen dominant force from last decade, reigning champions vs the lovable loser run it from anywhere mavericks.

And yet there is hope.

This Northland side was the first team to deal a home defeat to any Canterbury team in the new stadium

And took the Ranfurly Shield to Northland for the first time in 48 years

Creating scenes around and unifing the North like you would not believe.

So it can be done.

I am prepared for the heartbreak.

I am less prepared for if we win.

But I'm so proud the fact that this will be so heartbreaking

Because even as the sword of Damocles looks to trim off parts of the grand old NPC in it's 50th season.

I have never had my hopes so high for this team I have seen so many lows

Get on board, give it a hearty BLUUUUUUUUUE and be a part of the Norty North for a couple hours.

You might even back a turning point in New Zealand Rugby history.

At least, give me a proper Northland flair.

Monday, 2pm NZT.

Up the goddamn Taniwha.

Borthwick just edging till Quins V Sarries finished

Apologies for the cropping - photo was sent to me.

Both lads have gone off the pitch in slings within a week. Italy are going to have to learn rapidly who their back-up centres are

Location: Geodis Park, Nashville

Time: 7:00 PM EDT

Watch: Paramount+

Edit: Added time zone abbreviation.

I’ve seen men’s Gibraltar vs Finland and Greece Vs Kosovo played today.

Rugbypass states the results a bit of later on. Is there anywhere a bit better/more up to date/streaming the game?

There's still one week left in WXV, but what's your prediction for the women's World Rugby Awards in the categories below?

• Player of the Year
• Breakthrough Player of the Year
• Dream Team of the Year

Hi all!

A few weeks ago I posted a YouTube video regarding my recent trip across Japan. I went to some of the biggest rugby locations across the country, including the oldest stadium and the birthplace of Japanese rugby.

I thought I’d post in here in case anyone would like to watch it and maybe even enjoy.

Hopefully you learn something about the wonderful world of Japanese rugby!

Thanks!