Northland's 2009 Roller Mills team are primed for their week-long tournament at Wesley College.
Hosted by Counties, the tournament starts on Sunday with the eventual finalists playing off for the northern zone primary school trophy the following Saturday.
The Northland team were selected at the Taniwha Cup tournament back in July. They
have been training together for more than six weeks and prepared for the tournament by playing pre-season games.
They have had some promising results, including victories over formidable teams such as Waikato and Auckland East, and are looking forward to getting down to business when they take on Auckland West in their first match on Sunday.
They beat King Country 62-0, Waikato 20-13 and Auckland East 35-12 and also played against a couple of older teams preparation for meeting bigger sides at the tournament.
Coach Peter Nock said that, as the event drew nearer, the level of excitement in the squad had grown. After getting over an early set-back, he said, the players continued to rise to the task of playing good rugby.
"We lost the player of the Taniwha Cup tournament, Cody Kemp Bruce, through injury but Journee Cassidy has stepped up into No7 role and Chaz Watene has joined the team," he said. "Captain Tom Bell is also showing good form with players to watch in the tournament include Wayne Iripa, No8, Sam Munro No6, Sam Nock No10, Blair Guy No13, and winger Sam Moffat."
* BACK ROW: Tumoana Halkyard, Jamahl Stewart, Cody Kemp Bruce, Blair Guy, Ton Stevens, George John Westerlund, Chaz Watene, Sam Moffat. Middle row: coach Deon Wagner, manager Paul Halvorson, Haupeke Brown, Rehua Kaio, Sam Munro, Penekaha Takimoana, Levi Clark, Journee Cassidy, coach Peter Nock. Front row: Adam Simpson, Zeke Anderson, Jevon Halvorson, captain Tom Bell, vice-captain Sam Nock, Finn Benton, Mitchell Miller. Absent: Wayne Iripa and Nopera Matthews.
