Northland's rugby faithful should be in for a treat tomorrow as the Harding Shield gets under way in Kaiwaka, with a tough competition expected.
Taniwha manager Brad Te Haara said since the appointment of new ITM Cup coaches Northland's club rugby scene had been abuzz with players realising the pathway to representing the region was clearer.
Te Haara added the belief from players should create a strong Harding Shield competition - taking Northland back to the days when the Harding Shield competition was fierce, and the Taniwha delivered on-field.
"In my perspective, everyone is keen," Te Haara said. "And, now, the philosophy of Northland has been told to the clubs [that] there's a different buzz. Everyone wants to wear the [Northland] jersey.
"I think people are wanting to be the best player, or the next best player, because if there's an injury they're the next cab off the rank [during ITM Cup season].
"We're [Northland Rugby Union] trying to reinvigorate the Harding Shield because traditionally it used to be when the Harding Shield was strong, the Taniwha were."
Te Haara said the Northland Rugby Union's eyes would be well and truly on the players with himself, ITM Cup coaches Derren Witcombe and George Konia, and academy manager Peter Nock all to be present.
"[ITM Cup selectors having eyes on club players is] opening up that pathway at the top, and people want to be part of it," Te Haara said.
"You've got an organisation who is still about winning, but we've got to start winning with our own guys.
"From the games of club rugby I've seen, the ITM Cup-contracted players are standing out. And that's what we want - we want these guys who are starting to be the dominating force locally."
The defending champions of the Harding Shield are the Bay of Islands team who are in the hunt for a three-peat.
Bay of Islands' assistant coach Shaun Haynes said there was not necessarily a secret to winning it back to back, more just a good bunch of players who were led up front by Northland players Justin Davies and Buster Tahere.
Haynes said the loss of Northland contracted players Cam Goodhue and Warren Dunn to injury had been felt by his side, but he trusted the squad would pick up the slack. Harding Shield matches kick off in Kaiwaka at 1pm with Mangonui v Whangarei; at 2.30pm Rodney/Northern Wairoa take on Bay of Islands.
Harding Shield squads
Whangarei:
Peni Kitekiaho, Chris Apoua, Mark Lawson, Joe Ruben, M. Danks, Cam Cullen, Karl Furey, Mark Bennet, Roy Griffen, Mike Ganley, Jonn Lawson, Brent Murray, Elthan Crutcher, Mac Sykes, Beau Dickens, Tyler Lansdowne, Sione Mafi Kite, Derek Carpenter, Karatiana Vette-Walsh, Vili Tahitua, Saxon Samuels, Iwi Hauraki, Josh Browne, Dominic Ormsby, Star Timu. Coaches: Mark Seymour, Tim Knight. Manager: Mike Lee.
Rodney/Northern Wairoa:
Matt Wallis, Matt Moulds, Gary Whippy, Cole Campbell, Shane Neville, Matt Matich, Mitchell Fleming, Travis Larsen, Tane Takulua, John-Luke Whitehead, John Ellison, Sione Fonua, Mulis Taukiavea, Mateo Malupo, Joseph Glamuzina, Suli Leiataua, Dean Kingi, Peter Bond, Willy Fotofili, Jone Namalualevu, James Pulehega, Shane Tetzlaff. Injured: Matt Wright, Tyler Edwards, Sean Sweetman. Coaches: Paul Mant, Craig Williamson.
Mangonui:
Murray Blithe (captain), Johnno Andrews, Hazely Windelborn, Jordan Karena, Mack Lynn, Jordan Brown, Hohepa Matthews, Stan Dunn, John Dunn, Rodney Shepherd, Lani Taufa, Joseph Levi, Karl Christensen, Pera Wihongi, Trey Subritzky, Denny Windelborn, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Jone Tori, Whiria Meltzer, Jay Lloyd, Koro Petera, Joe Oneroa, Vance Pure, Tory Te Paa, David John Robson, Jackson Leef, Ken Stewart, Josh Robson, Nick Jurlina, John Butler, Jack Potter. Coach: Mike Jurlina.
BOI:
Justin Davies (captain), Will Cherrington, Mat Paraha, Marac Beckingham, Buster Tahere, Jim Anderson, Matere Tauroa, Jack Ram, Sione Inesie, Tony Horse, Hari Ngawati, Logan Wendt, Thomas Smith, Jerrod Menary, Quinn Butler, Ace Barlow, Josh Woodman, Davion Young, Brendon Green, Nathan Williams, Rhys Te Nana, Kadin Te Nana, Steve Watene, Andrew Jakes, Troy Woodman, Moses Cherrington, Roy Griffen. Injured: Cam Goodhue and Warren Dunn. Coaches: Alec Johnson, Shaun Haynes.