A hectic pre-season for Northland Rugby Union officials has seen the trials to find a new Taniwha mascot for the region's representative team postponed.
But the Taniwha will still be at Okara Park on Sunday to whip the crowd into a frenzy in the team's ITM Cup home game against North
Harbour.
The Northland Rugby Union (NRU) is on the hunt for a man or woman to fill the big shoes of its Taniwha mascot.
The man who has occupied the suit for the past 12 years - Whangarei businessman and actor Des Wallace - has decided to step aside.
NRU spokesman Matt Mathias said it was important to get the right person for the role so a trial would be held among the candidates.
But a hectic pre-season meant plans to hold the trials this week had to be postponed. A turbo-charged ring-in has been brought in to fill the suit for the first home game.
"We've got a temporary Taniwha with Brendon 'Turbo' Gower filing the suit on Sunday," Mr Mathias said.
He hoped trials could be carried out at the park in the week before the home game against Southland on September 4. He said prospective Taniwha would have to carry out a number of tasks to prove they had what it takes.
"They will have to do a bit of running round cones, be able to communicate with kids well and a good roar would probably help," Mr Mathias said.
People keen to take part in the trial can email reception@ northlandrugby.co.nz
