Youngsters likely to be rewarded

The contracted players clocked in for their first paid Northland practice yesterday but the final make-up of the squad still remains a bit of a mystery.
Northland coach Adriaan Ferris has his cards firmly to his chest, not wanting to affect the morale of his squad who have a tough season looming.
One thing thatstands out is that he has rewarded many of last year's development squad with shots at the big time this year.
"That's why we're here really, we have to to plug short-term gaps by developing our own players as much as possible and also to reward them for their work in the squad," Ferris said.
Kamo loose forward Danny Mason was the development squad's 'player of the year' last year and he has been rewarded for the hard work on his conditioning with the opportunity to step up into the squad.
Aterea Davis, Dan Faleafa, Tevita Vaipulu and Whiria Meltzer have also come up through the development team, while Warren Dunn, Brad Linklater and Cole Campbell have been retained after impressive starts to the club season.
Scott Vessy was recruited from Canterbury club rugby to replace Bronson Murray, while Ash Moeke returns for another shot at the first five-eighth role with Jack McPhee another for the talented backline.
The rest are back from last season, or in Derek Carpenter's case, the previous year.
An Auckland-based halfback has been recruited to act as back-up to Rhyan Caine for the season but the paperwork on the loan agreement has still to be completed.
Ferris won't drop that particular card yet either.
While some of the debuting players won't be named in the official squad sent to the NZRU next week, there's little doubt all will get a chance to show what they've got in the most punishing ITM Cup season ahead. The whole competition fits into just eight weeks in a concentrated season to allow space for the World Cup. "The last two years Northland have used 30 and 31 players respectively, all the provincial unions know they will use about that many players but if you increase the squad size, then you'll have to increase the cost of the squad and that's something that's tough on unions - particular smaller ones like us," Ferris said.
There is still one other card still up Ferris' sleeve - with a further loan player still to be confirmed.
Northland Squad: Aaron Bancroft, Ash Moeke, Aterea Davis, Brad Linklater, Bryce Williams, Cam Eyre, Cam Goodhue, Cole Campbell, Dan Faleafa, Dan Mason, Dan Pryor, Derek Carpenter, Jack McPhee, Jared Payne, Joel McKenty, Justin Davies, Lachie Munro, Mark Burman, Matt Wallis, Rene Ranger, Rhyan Caine, Ross Wright, Scott Vessey, Simon Munro, Tevita Vaipulu, Tim Dow, Warren Dunn, Whiria Meltzer.