Talent aplenty in Adam Blair squad

The scene is set for Northland's top secondary school rugby league players to take on Stacey Jones' Warriors Development team in two weeks.

Northland's best young league players have put their hands up, performed, and been selected in the Adam Blair XIII. Now, what lies ahead is a training camp and a testing match against a Warriors team.

Rugby League Northland general manager Alex Smits said Saturday's trial match between North and South zone high school players had some real talent on show, resulting in what he believes will be a competitive team.

"There's a bit of size and a bit of speed [in the Adam Blair XIII]," said Smits, who also refereed the trial. "And in the coaching team we've got, they'll bring out the best in them.

"There is a player from every college represented [in the Adam Blair Trophy]. There is a good representation from Kamo [with seven players] and Kaitaia [with five]. There's definitely some talent out there."

Smits said the representation across the board was a reflection on the quality of the teams in the Adam Blair Trophy.

He added the weekend's match showed the changing attitudes towards league in Northland.

"It was well supported," said Smits. "I turned up at quarter to one [for a 2pm start at Bay of Islands College] and I felt like I was late, which was a first in Northland that I'd felt like that.

"In total about 10 players didn't show, which is a bit disappointing because some of them probably would have made the team.

"I'm excited about this year. If we can achieve 70 per cent of what we're trying to, it'll be a big step forward for league in Northland."

The Adam Blair XIII will be coached by Joe Henare, with assistance being provided by Peter Gray and Benson Selwyn.

Henare, who also coaches Kamo High School alongside Gray, and co. will have a training camp this weekend at Lindvart Park in Kaikohe.

Smits said the idea of the training camp was to see who worked well together and who shows leadership within the group.

"They had two teams playing each other [on the weekend]," Smits said. "Now, they've got to get them together and playing with each other."

The Adam Blair XIII is:

Swayn Rakete, Tumoana Halkyard, Mana Barry-Taylor, Jesse Chapman, Moriko Read, Caleb Houltham, Michael Larkin, Aaron James, Shae Currie, Piri Croft, James Fisher-Harris, Antonius Hepi, Sean Rawiri, Hiamona Tierney, Joshua Mane-Akulu, Chaz Watene, Kingston Croft-Haenga, Tremain Hepi, Mathew Hewett, Flynn Rolton, Ayden Foster. Coaches: Joe Henare, Peter Gray, Benson Selwyn.