A season ending injury to Kerikeri’s Tom Robinson has opened the door for a third Super Rugby playing lock to join the Taniwha ranks. 

Scottish-born Murray Douglas - standing at 1.97cm and weighing 119kg - has been picked up to strengthen the second row after Robinson’s withdrawal in the past few weeks.

Although having been with the Melbourne Rebels for the past two seasons, Douglas isn’t a stranger to Taniwha players - having played alongside former captain Cam Eyre in Scotland and Dan Hawkins in Australia.

“Once Cam [Eyre] finished up in Scotland he was coming back here so I’d always looked out for Northland and watched him play back here. 

“I knew Dan Hawkins from the Rebels as well, Hawkey always said [the Taniwha] was like a second family for him - I kind of get that impression, and I’ve only been here a week, but I’ve been made to feel really welcome.”

While the opportunity for the 27-year-old former Scotland Club XV captain - a team which comprises of the top players in their national competition - was only brought in late in the piece, the Mitre 10 Cup has been on his radar.

“I remember watching the Mitre 10 Cup in Scotland and thinking it was really good quality rugby. To get a chance to finally play it is really exciting. 

“You always watch the running rugby and think ‘right that’s the type of rugby I’d rather play’, instead of the European stuff where it’s set piece dominated,” Douglas commented, joking his offload was a work in progress.”

“This opportunity came about quite quickly, I’ve been injured for most of the year but was keen to play more rugby and was coming off contract … it has only been in the last month that this has all happened.”

Outside of rugby, the qualified lawyer looks forward to enjoying what Northland has to offer - having already been impressed with the coastline’s beauty.

However, no surfing is on the agenda.

“I’m not much of a surfer, in Scotland you kind of learn to swim to survive if you fall in the water but nothing more than that,” he laughed.

Douglas believed from what he’d seen so far the squad was in good shape, adding his focus was on getting the job done on the field and being part of a Taniwha resurgence this season.

Coach Derren Witcombe noted Douglas was touted as a strong line out forward, and a classic tight forward who doesn’t mind doing the dirty work in scrums and rucks.

Joining Douglas in the second row this season is Kawakawa’s Josh Goodhue, who debuted for the Blues this season, and former Sunwolves lock Tim Bond.

Northland’s first game of the Mitre 10 Cup season is at Toll Stadium against Bay of Plenty on August 20.