League: Swords try fresh blood

A fresh crop of young players have won the opportunity to make their mark at the national level by being named in this year's 2012 Northland Swords' Premier Squad.

Kaitaia's Connor O'Sullivan and Ricky Toby, Moerewa's Jayden Hape-Bentley and Hikurangi's Tyson Wihongi have all stepped up from the Junior Swords 17s last season to sparkle in the Whangarei and Districts' premier club competition this year.

The four players have helped their clubs into contention for semifinal spots, with Wihongi's try-scoring form for Hikurangi helping to propel him into this week's NZRL - 18s Performance camp in Rotorua.

An extended Swords squad of 38 players has initially been selected from the in-form senior players, with a final squad of 25 to be finalised before competition in August.

Original Swords players Kyle Hool, Logan Pocklington and Innecent Tuamavave-Mau bring experience to their third campaign and they are joined by other seasoned campaigners, Tawio Davis, Eric Abraham, Troy Aderton, Jack Walker, Vincent Joyce and Richard Koroi.

Returning north to bolster the team is Simon Nash, who last wore Northland colours in 2006.

Nash moved to Wellington to play for the Wellington Orcas and his return will provide a lot of experience to the team.

Rugby League Northland CEO Alex Smits said they have selected a squad that will keep building on the experience gained from the first two years in the national competition and help grow the Swords brand for rugby league in Northland.

The Swords' first home game is at Toll Stadium on August 26 against Waicoa Bay.

Northern Swords

Innecent Tuamavave, Tyson Wihongi, Caleb Henare, Jack Walker, Jarom Wihongi Henare, Moses Cooper, Eric Abraham, Dylan Wihongi, Imran Wihongi Henare, Koro Manawaiti (Hikurangi), Jordan Hool, Kyle Hool, Hori Tuhoro, Nick Shuster (Takahiwai), Michael Laiman, Hunia Kingi, Jasper Apoua, Tyler Fiaui (Marist), Logan Pocklington, Cruise Selkirk, Shelford Edwards, Robbie Paniora, Taaho Kake (Nth Wairoa), Here Edmonds, Alex Salase, Michael Salase (City), Anaru Thompson, Jaden Bentley Hape, Tawio Davis (Moerewa), Richard Karoi (Hokianga), Troy Aderton, Vince Joyce, Pouri Hohaia, Simon Nash (Bay Slayers), Ricky Toby, Connor O' Sullivan, Hozay Cruthers, TePuhi Rudolph (Muriwhenua).