Whangarei Boys' High School face an uphill battle to progress through to the Blues area final of the National First XV Championship on Saturday but their coach is quietly confident.
Ron Iraia, in his second season as the team coach, says the team may be smaller than their opponents buthe hopes spirit can compensate for that.
"We're all quietly confident that we'll be returning home with a win and then go on to play the winner of the other semifinal," he said.
The team will hope to mix it up with Westlake in the forwards and create a platform for their backs.
"I think we'll be able to compete in the forwards but it won't be easy with the size of some of the Island boys in the Auckland teams," Iraia said.
The team know what is required after a pre-season match against Auckland champions St Kentigerns at the beginning of the year.
The team travel to Westlake College to play the North Harbour champions at 2pm on Saturday. The winner will go into the Blues regional final for a chance to play in the national final.
