Northland selectors were given more to chew on than just their after-match hangi on Saturday with players in the Harding Shield competition vying for provincial places.
Adriaan Ferris and Derren Whitcombe had an "interesting" time watching the final and Ferris wouldn't rule out some bolters into the training squad when he releases it this week.
"We're pretty excited about some of the players that we plan to include in the training squad and even though it's not the final ITM Cup squad, it's a chance for us to let the guys know how close they are to making that squad," he said.
The final squad won't be named until they go full-time on July 26.
He was impressed by the standard of play he saw on Saturday, particularly in the final. "It was an impressive win with an experienced Bay of Islands pack. They really played to their strengths and that showed through while their backs worked really hard for each other," he said.
