Squad in shape for challenge of Mount

While many of us have been tucking into the turkey over the festive season, the Northland sevens team have been training hard ahead of the Bay Engineers/Hose Supplies Provincial  Tournament at Mount Maunganui.
The popular event on January 3 attracts the best North Island unions to Blake Park at the Mount, with many using it as a final team trial prior to the National Sevens Tournament in Queenstown, a week later.
Having played at a couple of Northern region "friendly" tournaments last month, coach/selector JT Thomas already had a fair idea of the team he would take to the two tournaments before further sorting  at the final internal trial before Christmas.
"We had our final trial before Christmas - speed testing over 10 and 40 metres, a yoyo fitness test and two games each with no subs," Thomas said.
Several players impressed with high test scores, including Northland Air New Zealand Cup first first five-eighth Lachie Munro and halfback Luke Hamilton, while during the trial games, Brook Gilmore, Sione Fonua and Logan Wendt caught the eye of selectors Tony Monaghan, Jared Going and  Thomas.

 "Provided they go easy over the silly season, they should be in good shape for these tournaments  - I've been telling the boys moderation is a good thing."
 Several players had to miss out on the 14-strong team heading to the Mount, including Northland wing Troy Woodman, who dislocated his shoulder early in the first trial game.
National coach Gordon Tietjens had shown some interest in the snappy winger's progress, so the injury came at a bad time, Thomas said.
"He will be a big loss to the team ... he will be bitterly disappointed."
Two more players will be dropped following the Bay of Plenty tournament for the National Championship on January 9-10, a tough ask for the selectors who have seen a lot of talent on display this season.
The 2010 provincial sevens tournament, which is considered the North Island sevens championship, has drawn a very strong field.
During pool play, Northland go up against 2007-08 tournament winners Wellington, along with Taranaki and three others which will be confirmed as the tournament progresses.
"It will be good for our players to get a good look at Wellington before Queenstown, where we are down to play them again in our very hard pool draw," Thomas said.
Other teams heading to the Bay of Plenty will be last year's title winners Counties Manukau, Auckland, Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Niue, Horowhenua Kapiti, BOP Invitation and Manawatu.