Triallists' frantic pace and effort impress Woodward

The break-neck pace of  last night's Northland trial at Hikurangi meant there were a few errors.
The trial match was to give the local players a chance to earn the remaining 10 contracts for this year's Air New Zealand Cup competition and right from the start it was obvious there was plenty riding on the game.
Northland coach Bryce Woodward was impressed with the pace of the match and said a certain lack of structure  was to be expected with combinations playing together for the first time.
"I think generally it was a pretty good trial. I guess I was a little disappointed in the last 30 minutes that there was a lack of kicking in defensive conditions with people tending to run it from everywhere and take quick taps from penalties willy-nilly but, at the end of the day, there was no lack of effort or endeavour out there."
The match ended up 30-14 to the South team, who started with a slight edge but increased their dominance, particularly in the forwards, as the match wore on.
Former Northland representative Josh Levi provided a touch of class when he went on to replace Johnny Moimoi just before halftime and his direction and incisive passing makes him a good chance to play in  Cambridge Blue once again this season.
"He's a classy player with the ball in hand and he created some holes with deception and running to the line and off-loading," Woodward said.
There were other examples of players grabbing their chances to impress. Kamo's Roy Griffin came on as a second-half replacement for the South team and was on hand to pick up two tries while another loosie Matt Clutterbuck played well and also picked up a try.
The centres will prove a headache for selectors, with all of them shining at one time or another, but perhaps Warren Dunn was the most consistent. The wings were another good battle, with Mid Northern's Jershon Stewart-Whitihira the standout.
The battle for the third halfback spot was a strange affair. With Hikurangi's Rhyan Caine and Western Sharks' Luke Hamilton already contracted, Mid Western captain Adam Clarke had the inside running. The former Western Force development player has been in fine form this season and his combination with Lachie Munro at Mid Western has been excellent.
He was more than holding his own against Hamilton but when the Sharks No9 limped off at halftime Hora Hora fullback Logan Wendt filled in behind the South pack and grabbed his opportunity with both hands - he was involved in everything and could be a possible bolter.
With lineout locks supposedly a problem area, all looked good with accurate throwing from the hookers but Woodward sounded a note of caution, saying they may not have fared so well if there was a lock with Super-14 experience playing. The final squad is named on June 23.