RUGBY: Auckland import stoked to prop up Northland squad

Yesterday Tevita Mailau was all set to be a tackle bag with legs at Eden Park, today the tighthead prop has eyes for more meaningful contributions with the Northland rugby team at Okara Park.
Mailau has been added to the Northland Air NZ Cup squad on loan from Auckland, the 22-year-old former NZ Colt from Otahuhu finally getting clearance to head north after several weeks of protracted negotiations.
Now he hopes he can emulate some of his Auckland counterparts who have ventured north before and ended up launching into notable rugby careers.
Moses Tuiali'i, David Gibson and James Arlidge were all Auckland imports who managed to make a name for themselves playing in the Cambridge blue. Even Wallaby fullback Julian Huxley used Northland as a springboard.
Which is why Mailau was quick to agree when Auckland coach Pat Lam suggested the move north.
"Pat (Lam) told me that I was going to train with Auckland but unless there were injuries that I would just be used at training and play for the Auckland development team," Mailau said.
"So as soon as he asked me if I would consider coming up here on loan I was like, `yeah mate, I'm keen'," he said.
After missing out on the Auckland pre-season jaunt to Thailand, Mailau knew he was well down the pecking order anyway. But at Northland he has sights set on a starting jersey.
Mailau's Northland induction yesterday included being dropped into a team training run at Kamo, then carted off with the rest of the squad to the Waipoua Forest for a visit with Tane Mahuta.
But his introduction on the field will be a bit more gentle, a 20 minute burst off the bench in a pre-season game against Counties-Manukau at Pukekohe tomorrow. Northland coach Mark Anscombe said Mailau was one of two props offered by Auckland, but it was Mailau who got the nod after other contract negotiations were bogged down by agents.
Among the factors that gave Mailau the edge was the fact that he would be a free agent by the end of the season.
"If he goes well, likes the atmosphere up here and fits in then he might be a player that fits with Northland a bit better in terms of planning anyway," Anscombe said.
"Tevita is a specialist tighthead but he can play both sides of the scrum, but he can add more around the park as well which could be good for us," he said.
Tomorrow's game will be intriguing as Counties-Manukau have had mixed results from a solid pre-season programme.
Northland have been impressive so far, especially in the set pieces, but have been hit with injuries this week.
David Holwell is definitely out, his shoulder injury still serious, as is lock Steve Baker. Halfback Corey Tamou is expected to take his place on the bench with Dan Bowden in the No.10 jersey. Damian Fakafanua is also in the reserves despite not being named in the official squad released today.
Anscombe is also unsure if he will need to add more backline back-up to his squad yet as well.
"It is just niggly injuries, it is really hurting us these little injuries. Halfback is a real worry and is an area we need to get some cover," he said.