Good Sports: NZRL National Performance Camp

Our region can boast about having three Northlanders in the Kiwi rugby league team (Sam McKendry, Adam Blair and Elijah Taylor), but in the future their could be more.

The Northern Advocate was able to get hold of five boys from Northland who will have the opportunity to earn national honours this month when they attend the NZRL National Performance Camp in Rotorua.

Taui Arona will trial for the under-16s while Corey Naera, Tumoana Halkyard, Joachim Edmonds and James-Dean Fisher-Harris will trial for the under-18s. Here's what the boys had to say about their experiences in league ...

What did you think when you found out were going to be trialling for a New Zealand team? Did you expect you'd be doing this?

Edmonds: I had no idea about it but I tried to play it cool, but inside I was nervous and also excited.

Arona: I was really surprised and happy that I got the chance to trial for New Zealand and represent Northland.

How did you get into league? What's your favourite part about it?

Edmonds: My girlfriend got me into league two years ago and I've just kept growing the passion for the game [ever since].

Fisher-Harris: I originally got into league as my choice after being sick of rugby, with the support from my family.

When you watch league, are you always watching what players are doing and thinking how you can bring that into your own game?

Halkyard: Yes, but I mainly watch my preferred position so I can learn something new and bring it to help my team and to see what I can improve on.

Arona: Sometimes I try to play like my idols and I use other players' techniques.

Do you hope in years to come there will be more Northlanders trialling for NZ teams?

Fisher-Harris: Yeah, I hope there will be more every year so there will be more Northlanders in the black and white jersey.

Where do you want to take your rugby league career?

Fisher-Harris: I would like to see myself in the NRL.

Is it cool to know that Northlanders have a reputation when it comes to producing top league players?

Halkyard: It is awesome because it shows that we have the same potential as players around the rest of the country.

Who's your favourite rugby league player and why?

Halkyard: Billy Slater and Jarryd Hayne because that is my position [fullback] and they lead the team in many ways. They are also always consistent.