Brazilians living in Whangarei were yesterday preparing to break out the caipirinha to toast their homeland's success against Croatia in the opening game of the Fifa World Cup.

Northlanders Kurt Davies and Dan Hawkins have arguably the toughest task of all tonight when they face the Blues at Toll Stadium as part of a New Zealand Barbarians side.

Forget the All Blacks versus England international tomorrow night, the real highlight for Northlanders is Black Fern Aleisha Nelson, who will be part of the curtainraiser.

It could be a while between drinks for North Force fans as tomorrow's game at fortress Kamo against Albany United is the last one for over a month.

Mangonui are bringing some serious firepower into the second leg of the Harding Shield in Kaikohe tomorrow.

For the second week in a row the Takahiwai Warriors will host a top-of-the-table clash, this time against the Otangarei Knights.