Rugby: Northland selection dig deep against Blues side

New Zealand Barbarians, and Waipu, halfback Jason Guthrie goes for a dart on Friday night. Photo/John Stone

Smiles filled the home team's changing rooms after the New Zealand Barbarians put on a good showing against a Blues side at Toll Stadium, much to the delight of coach Derren Witcombe.

Despite the 48-21 score line, Witcombe was proud of his team's efforts - which was made up of Northland club rugby players, although 14 were out injured - and felt it boded well ahead of the ITM Cup.

"I'm proud of them and they should be happy with themselves," he said. "They dug in deep against the big boys.

"We've had a lot of changes this week, we've got 14 guys out with injury, so it puts Northland rugby in good stead I think.

"We should have a pretty solid development side as well and guys are putting their hands up for ITM Cup."

For Witcombe and assistant coach George Konia, Friday night's match was a chance to see how players responded to a higher level of rugby.

Witcombe felt he and Konia's motto of picking local players for the ITM Cup was starting to see some returns, with plenty of heart and competitive moments throughout.

"Attitude was the thing for us, get out there and have a go - if you've got the right attitude and be physical we thought we'd be in with a shot ... they scored some good tries out there.

"I think the two full length of the field tries were pretty special, the boys just had a go and they expressed themselves."

Particularly pleasing for Witcombe was the crowd support, saying he hoped it would continue when the ITM Cup kicked off with a home game on August 17.

"Some of the boys said it felt like 30,000 people at times," Witcombe smiled. "The crowd turned up and was vocal, which is great."

A first half injury to Taniwha Whiria Meltzer was the only potential concern for Witcombe, but they would have to wait and see what the diagnosis was.

Southern Districts Premier Grade
Old Boys Marist 51 Wellsford 21
Waipu 22 Mid Western 21
Hikurangi 35 Otamatea 20
Mid Northern 38 Western Sharks 22
Hora Hora 34 Kamo 27
Southern Districts Premier Reserve Grade
Wellsford 44 Old Boys Marist 22
Western Sharks 27 Mid Northern 21
Kamo 52 Hora Hora 12
Mid Western 60 Waipu 5
Hikurangi 39 Otamatea 26