Imported flanker on trial for Northland

The hunt for a loose forward to add some steel to the Northland rugby forward pack was extended to Queensland yesterday when a fresh face from Brisbane fronted up to training at Kensington Park in Whangarei.

Daniel Collins, a blindside flanker from the Gold Coast Breakers club side in Brisbane, has been whistled into the squad as coach Mark Anscombe looks to try to add some ginger to his pack.

While the imminent return of Justin Collins from injury may address a large bulk of Anscombe's concerns, that he is prepared to fly an unknown player here unsighted is a strong indication of his unease about the status of loose forward candidates in the current squad.

Justin Collins will not be available until after the provincial championship, the Air NZ Cup, kicks off and in the last two pre-season encounters Northland's ball-winning abilities at the breakdown has been highlighted.

So Daniel Collins has arrived, albeit very quietly, and was part of training sessions yesterday and again today and may even be farmed into a club side to show his wares this weekend.

"We are just adding stocks.

"We have got lots of young loosies but we lack a bit of presence at the breakdown," Anscombe said.

"Daniel is here on a trial basis. He has been promised nothing and is here only at the cost of an air fare so we can have a look at him."

Yesterday the entire squad watched video analysis of their loss to Tasman at the weekend, a result that has shaken up the camp and given Anscombe and his assistant plenty of ammunition to fire at the players.

Accurate action at the breakdown has been nominated as a priority, along with ball security.

Injuries to a clique of senior players is also making some impact.

Hayden Taylor is nursing a hamstring strain that will keep him out for two weeks.

Tim Dow could be out for longer with his hamstring worries while lock Brad Taylor, prop Stan Wright and loose forward Jake Paringatai were all spectators at training yesterday.

Very soon Anscombe will trim the squad from 30-odd to a nominated 26-man list of contracted players.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)