Rugby: Super players bolster squad

Northland coach Richie Harris is hopeful for a good Mitre 10 Cup campaign this year. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Northland won't be relying on their Super Rugby players, but are hoping they'll contribute to a successful Mitre 10 Cup season.

Northland have named a 36-strong squad, with eight Super players in the mix.

They are hooker Matt Moulds, prop Namatahi Wa'a, loose forwards Dan Pryor, Kara Pryor and Jack Ram, NZ under-20 halfback Sam Nock, first-five Dan Hawkins and wing Jone Macilai.

Coach Richie Harris said while it's great to have the experience of those players, they won't be answering an S.O.S. call.

"They come in on their own terms and add to the group," he said.

"Last year they came to save us on the field, but the goal is for the team to effectively function without the Super players."

Northland will contest for the Championship after a disappointing 2015 campaign where they went winless in 10 games.

However Harris feels the side is in a far better position this year.

"We are way further in our development than last year in terms of what our players and coaching staff know," he said.

"Now we know what the players are about and what the Mitre 10 Cup is all about."

Northland have three pre-season hit outs before the season starts, beginning with North Harbour next Friday.

They then take on Bay of Plenty on August 5 before battling it out in the 'Game of Three Halves' against Counties-Manukau and the All Blacks.

They have definitive goals they want to achieve during the pre-season.

Harris is hoping his side makes a decent fist of the season.

"Ideally, we'll make the finals of the Championship. To get there though, it's all about getting our processes right."

Five academy players have been included in order to further develop and to provide cover for injured players, returning Super players and players involved in club finals through the pre-season window.

Of note among those academy players is prop Sesimani Tupou, fresh out of St Kentigern College, where he played in an unprecedented five 1A finals.

The Taniwha open their Championship campaign on August 19 against the Manawatu Turbos in Whangarei.

Northland 2016 Mitre 10 Cup Squad:

Forwards: Chris Apoua, Phil Kite, Howard Sililoto, Matt Talaese, Namatahi Wa'a (Blues), Sesimani Tupou (Academy), Matt Moulds (Blues), Jordan Olsen, Ross Wright, Josh Goodhue, Shane Neville, Tom Robinson, Sean Sweetman, Josh Larsen (Academy), Michael Faleafa, Matt Matich, Dan Pryor (Highlanders), Kara Pryor (Blues), Jack Ram (Blues), Aorangi Stokes, Epineri Uluviti (Academy).

Backs: Matty Markwick, Malcolm McLeod, Sam Nock (Blues), Peter Breen, Dan Hawkins (Rebels), Warren Dunn, Troy Gilbert, Jordan Hyland, Tamati Tua, James Cherrington (Academy), Solomon Alaimalo, Monty Lama, Waisea Lawebuka, Jone Macilai (Crusaders), Levi Clark (Academy).