League: Swords prepare to come out swinging

Joe Rau will be a key player for the Northern Swords.Photo/File

A mixture of old and young highlights the first Northern Swords premier representative squad named, with new coach Mark Freeman saying if he has the right players there could be a few upsets.

Freeman is keen to get a head start on previous Swords preparations and thinks if the players commit he will be able to build a strong squad.

"We are not going to just make up numbers, if I get the players we will knock over teams like Wellington, Mid and Upper Central and the Canterbury Bulls," he said. "The Rugby League Northland Premiership is a great competition and I reckon that we can showcase our Northland talent."

The initial squad of 45 unsurprisingly has large contingents from Takahiwai, Otangarei and Portland.

"There is a good mix of young and old with the Tarau [brothers], Rikki and Charles, the Edmonds brothers, Joachim and Zabdiel as our youth, mixing with the likes Joe Rau and Alex Salase to provide the experienced heads," Freeman said.

The Northern Swords, who play in the NZRL Pirtek National Premiership, kick off their campaign on August 24 against the Wellington Orcas.

SWORDS NOMINATIONS

Hikurangi: Joachim Edmonds, Joseph Rau.

Hokianga: Richard Koroi, Andre Lennox, Elliot Pomare, Ngakuru Rogers, Wiremu Snowden Te Iringa, Verne Wilson.

Hora Hora: Samuel Henry, Desmond Reynolds.

Kerikeri: Jared Baker, Forren-Kassidee Porowini, Te Atawhai Tahere.

Moerewa: Herewini McGregor, Jahdon Palmer.

Northern Wairoa: Shelford Edwards, Jake Mau, Robbie Paniora, Israel Tahere, Patrick Tane.

Otaika: Zabdiel Edmonds.

Otangarei: Herewini Edmonds, Linn Hunapo, Jordan Katene, Frank-ko Newton, Poasa Rankin, Bryce Rauahi, Zion Rota.

Portland: Reece Bermingham, Kelsin Harding, Samuel Henry, Sharif Mangu, Levi McQueen, Dallas Pearce, Alex Salasi, Michael Ulukau-Gawn.

Takahiwai: Adam Donaldson, Joel Freeman, Jordan Hool, Ross McFarlane, Charles Tarau, Rikki Tarau, Hori Tuhoro, Edward Wilson.