"Mid Western weren't even in it last week [for the first round] but they got to the semifinal and beat Kamo, it was a good game too.
"Mid Northern at the moment is a class above the rest, they lost to St Kents last week but are now clearly ahead in the series," Nock commented, adding Taniwha reserve hooker Jordan Olsen had a strong outing. "They've got a good group of boys there."
On the whole, Nock felt the standard of play was better than last season and was confident his Northland team would carry the momentum into their campaign - which starts this week with the naming of a 30-man team, which does not include any ITM Cup players.
He said when he combines the club sevens players with any ITM Cup players who were interested in playing, Northland would have a strong team.
"I'm pretty happy with what we've got at the moment. It'll be interesting if players like Kara Pryor, Warren Dunn, and Whiria Meltzer come back - but they've played a lot and need some rest.
"There's about nine or 10 ITM Cup guys who have expressed their interest but the question is when would they be interested in coming into the fray and to what extent."
Nock admitted the prospect of having Pryor bursting around for Northland was an exciting thought, adding Jack Goodhue at centre for Canterbury in their ITM Cup Premiership semifinal on Saturday - was another who could join the fray.
"If Northlanders are going to play for Northland then these guys who go away for school or play in the ITM Cup, then [welcoming them back is] what we've got to do.
"It's all about building that culture and wanting to play for each other, you might not have the best players but you can have a good team."
Jone Macilai and Dan Pryor were all but ruled out for this season with Super Rugby commitments. The next club rugby sevens tournament is on November 8 in Wellsford.
