Lusi may affect Adam Blair XIII

Alex Smits

A decision on the rugby league trails will be made on Sunday morning

Teenage Northlanders will tomorrow have the opportunity to trial for their chance to take on the Warriors Development squad later this month, weather depending.

A decision will be made on Sunday morning on whether the Adam Blair XIII trial game would go ahead at Bay of Islands College.

Rugby League Northland General manager Alex Smits said once a decision was made, at about 7am, it would be posted on their 'Northern Swords Rugby League' Facebook page.

"Depends what the weather is like [as to whether it'll go ahead or not] ... We're planning like it is," he said.

Smits added that he expected the side to be of reasonable standard, saying that the play he had seen so far in the NorthTec Adam Blair Trophy had exceeded expectation.

"The first three rounds have been great, there's a good level of football. Good to see there's been even competition, exceeding expectations at this point."

He said the surprising success of newcomers Whangaroa College and Tikipunga High School was a welcome addition to the competition.

"Whangaroa College has been great. [The new teams' addition] is massive, I know Tikipunga are really embracing the competition. We're pretty happy." If players get selected for the Adam Blair XIII, they will play the Warriors Development squad on March 29 in what will be part of a double header to mark the opening of the RLN Premiership.

Smits thought the incentive to play the Warriors Development side wasn't a key contributor to rugby league's massive growth in the past two years, but said it was part of establishing the pathway to representative honours.

"I think they're mutually exclusive, [the success of the Adam Blair Trophy and the Warriors Development game], it's just an added benefit. It is part as what we're trying to establish as a pathway for the evolution of our sport."

Under the direction of Smits RLN has increased player numbers by a staggering 81 per cent between 2012 and 2013.

With a focus on youth participation, harnessed through coaching initiatives in schools and the launch of the Adam Blair Trophy, player numbers have skyrocketed to a figure of 2420 at the conclusion of the 2013 season.

North Zone Squad: Joel Hetaraka, Lewis Katene, Stevie Ray Albert Haenga, Kingston Croft Haenga, Scott Flood, Tumatahi Kihi, Demrys Croft Haenga (all from Okaihau), Hohaia Rata, Kawana Marsden, Peter Paparoa, Cale Te Paa, Horiana Peters, Jackson Sparksman-Brott, Walter Pomare (Kaitaia), Nopera Mathews, Tautoko Mathews, Raharuhi Fiau, AJ Campbell, Jordon Foster, Dante Manuel, Luke Naicovi, Tame Bassett, Rangiwewehi Fletcher, John Henry (Te Rangianiwaniwa), Padre Brown, Ambrose Rudolph, Hauraki Brown, Te Pou Taurua (Whangaroa), Joseph Johnston, Antonius Hepi, Neville Shelford, Harding Leaf, Arlen Hepi, Graeham Henare-Clarke, Paerangi Kopa (Northland College).

South Zone Squad: Wayne Iripa, John Rudi Wright, Liam Claire, Kalani Heta, Zabniel Edmonds, Eru Kapa Kingi (all from Tikipunga), Shane Paraha, Jayde Kapa, Steele Kaka, Haane Rudolph, Tiaki Smith, James Cherrington, Maka Hakalo, Judah Andrews, Michael Williams, Caleb Aekins, Tipara Job, Ioane Job (WBHS), Jahdon Palmer, Raina Mata Boi, Te Kopa Tipene (Bay of Islands), Kane Pomare, Forest Tibbits-Filimoeatu, Jordayne Tibbits-Filimoeatu (Dargaville), Duncan-McIvor, Jesse Chapman, Brandt Shortland, Eparaima Shortland (Kamo).