The managerial skills of Steelform Wanganui's Chris Back have again been recognised with his appointment to the staff of the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians team who will face the British & Irish Lions in June.
The DHL NZ Lions Series tour will begin in Whangarei on June 3 when the Lions face the Barbarians at Toll Stadium.
As this 10-match tour will be the first time the Lions have faced New Zealand Super Rugby teams - due to that season now stretching from February to August - the makeup of the side to open the campaign went through several changes, initially referred to as a "Provincial Union XV".
The Barbarians club was awarded the fixture in March 2016, although the concept remains the same where provincial players not currently signed to a franchise will get a rare opportunity to face the tourists.
Back has been named manager of the team alongside head coach Clayton McMillan of Bay of Plenty, with assistants Roger Randle (Waikato) and Joe Maddock (Canterbury).