The busy ITM Cup schedule is going to tax Northland's playing roster but that could be a good thing for Northland club players who fancy a shot at playing for the Taniwha at the provincial level.
Northland rugby coach Adriaan Ferris said looking after his players during the hectic 13-round seasonwill be vital but opportunities are certain to arise as the season gets under way.
"We're not like Canterbury, we have less resources than the big unions and we have to rely on what we have in the local competition and we have to do the best we have with what we have available," he said.
"That means that there will be more opportunities for club players this year because of the short turnaround between provincial games."
Northland will have to get used to playing three competition games in the space of a week during the competition this year. Arguably their biggest challenge this year will be a match against Wellington on the road followed by what could be a Ranfurly Shield Challenge against Canterbury in Christchurch - just four days later.
"It's going to be tough in that respect. We're going to have to be firing on all cylinders and make sure the injury gods are kind to us if we want to do well in what is a challenging and very compact competition," Ferris said.
The new coach, and his assistant Derren Whitcombe, are certain they can prepare a side to reach the finals of the second tier championship division.
"Like any new coaches, we've got to earn the trust of the players, naturally there are some things that I'll be doing differently to what Bryce [Woodward] has done but the good thing is as the development coach here last year, I already have a good understanding of how things work," he said.
The competition will be a step up from last year and Ferris is hopeful they can get used to the pace quickly.
