North Harbour coach Jeff Wilson is delighted to be coming back to the north in preparation for the 2010 ITM Cup Season.
The North Harbour squad will prepare for their pre-season match against Northland on July 14 with a three-day camp in Taipa.
"Last year we had a great pre-season campaign in
the Bay of Islands and we were delighted with what we achieved.
"The locals were very accommodating and we expect the same generosity in Taipa where we are based this year, prior to Wednesday's game," he said.
Wilson and Northland coach Bryce Woodward are expected to give most of their travelling squad game time during the match.
Harbour are set to arrive in Taipa on Sunday night.
They will hold two training sessions which the North Harbour coach has opened to the Mangonui public on Monday and Tuesday at 10am at the Awanui Rugby Club.
Organisers of the first Northland fixture of the season are pleased that the Mangonui community has pulled together to ensure the match will be a success.
Just eight days out from the pre-season fixture at Arnold Rae Park, preparations were well under way, Mangonui Sub Union chairman Barry Murray said.
"It's no secret, a lot of time, work and commitment has gone in so far to get this game off the ground," Murray said.
The challenge of organising such a big game had been time-consuming for the organisers but Murray said he was pleased with the help received.
"We have had brilliant support from so many volunteers and I am very pleased with where we currently are (preparation-wise)."
The game on July 14 will be the second pre-season representative fixture to be staged in Kaitaia in three years, after the sub union hosted the 2008 Northland-Manawatu fixture.
Tickets to the game are on sale from the Mussel Rock Bar and Cafeé and at Rider Sports.
Ground admission is $5 for adults, while under-16s will get in free.
A curtain-raiser will be played at 12.30pm between Kaitaia College and Whangarei Boys' High School. The gates open at noon.
