Rugby: Northland are minus Taylor for Sevens

New Zealand Sevens players Tony Monaghan and Jared Going will be gunning to regain their places in the national squad when Northland head to the national sevens tournament in Palmerston North this weekend.

Northland's chances at the tournament took a blow when speedy back Hayden Taylor was called into the Pacific Barbarians to play against the All Blacks in Tokyo on Friday.

Without Taylor, Monaghan and Going will be the key players for the side, who are heading to the national tournament as third seeds with a strong chance of qualifying for the title playoffs.

The side include five of the Northland NPC squad, among them star Fijian Vula Maimuri and loose forward Brett Waaka.

Last year, Northland lost in the semifinals to eventual tournament winners North Harbour. This time coach Steve Bean hopes to go one better, and contest the final.

- NZPA