Rugby: Barbarians squad named to face Blues

Otamatea's Shane Neville will be hoping to get a crack at the Blues next Friday. Photo / Tania Whyte

Club form has been rewarded in the selection of the Northland Barbarians squad to take on the Blues next Friday.

Thirty five players have been selected, with the biggest representation coming from the top two sides in the Bayleys Southern Districts' Premier competition.

Leaders Mid Northern have nine players in the squad, with eight coming from second-placed Old Boys Marist.

Kamo is the only Premier side to not have a player in the squad, highlighting the spread of talent across Northland rugby.

Coach Richie Harris said the fixture is a great opportunity for the selected players.

"The game is the last of Northland's High Performance games," he said.

"It's a valuable chance for players to measure themselves against Super Rugby players."

Three of the selected players are unavailable to play in the game.

Hooker Ross Wright and centre Troy Gilbert are out with injuries, while prop Matt Talaese is on international duty with Manu Samoa as they look to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The game will act as a trial as Northland looks to lock down their squad for the Mitre 10 Cup, which kicks off at home against Manawatu on August 19.

Harris said the players will need a different approach to this match compared to their usual games.

"Players will need to adapt back to current ruck laws as used in Super and International rugby," he said.

"They're different from the Mitre 10 Cup trial breakdown laws used in Northland Club Rugby and in the High Performance games to date."

From the squad, Northland will select 25 or 26 players for the Friday night game.

Northland Barbarians Squad:

Forwards: Chris Apoua, Thomas Dwyer, Michael Faleafa, Josh Goodhue, Phil Kite, Josh Larsen, Conor Lawson, Taniela Manu, Matt Matich, Shane Neville, Jordan Olsen, Tom Robinson, Howard Sililoto, Aorangi Stokes, Sean Sweetman, Matt Talaese, Curtis Toapuho, Ben Tou, Sesimani Tupou, Ross Wright.

Backs: Solomon Alaimalo, Peter Breen, James Cherrington, Levi Clark, Warren Dunn, Troy Gilbert, Josef Glamuzina, Jordan Hyland, Wisea Lewabuka, Monty Lama, Tyler Lansdowne, Malcolm MacLeod, Matty Marwick, Solomona Paraki, Tamati Tua.