Northland Swords coach keen for season start

In his second year at the helm, Northern Swords 15s coach Jim Larkin cannot wait for the 2011 national competition to start.
Larkin has a strong belief in the preliminary squad recently selected from 15s and 17s trials held at Bay of Islands College on the back of a New Zealand Rugby League Hearts Camp, and feels this is the year the team will come into their own.
"I think we will go a lot better ... the boys have played a lot more football, with Rugby League Northland's age grade up and running. That has benefited the boys greatly. As coach, I've got a lot more options to take with this squad," Kaitaia-based Larkin said.
The 15s retain five players from last year's Swords team, including NZ 16s trialist Kadince Christensen, Jordan Aiona, David Waikira, Daniel Havali and Corey Selwyn. Larkin said there was more competition for places within the team this year.
An initial 24-strong squad has been named, although 25 is the maximum number coaches can use in the national competition, which kicks off on August 28.
Larkin said he believed he would have a strong all-round 15s side, with quality halves, and useful forwards.
The Nga Tatahu Swim Club coach has taken age-grade representative league sides since 2004, and enjoys coaching at this level, "building from underneath" and giving young players a good grasp and understanding of the game.
He hopes to get a few wins after the side struggled in last year's inaugural competition.
Many of last year's 15s side have stepped up to the Northern Swords 17s squad, coached by Les Howe.
Howe will guide the 17s on the back of the 2010 season, where they also struggled, overawed by fitter, tougher and more skilful opponents.
They were much better prepared this year, and had been working hard in the club season to match their opponents around the country, Howe said: "We saw some good young talent coming through the ranks at last weekend's trials and it wasn't easy to choose a squad with the calibre of players on offer."
His challenge was to combine talents and personalities and create a team who would put their hand up to be noticed in the competition. "I believe if the boys can get their fitness levels and skills to match teams like Auckland who we play first up, with our natural flair on the field we will do well this year."
The makeup of his 24-strong squad includes returning players such as Mana Ashby and Chase Tauranga and 15s players who have stepped up to the older age grade, plus new faces who have transferred from rugby.
Also in the squad are New Zealand 18s trialists Kahi Harawira and Brodee Palmer.
The Swords have four home games in this year's national competition, and it is hoped teams will gain an advantage from playing locally.
Meanwhile, premiers coach Joe Rau has named a preliminary squad of 33 players after last Sunday's trials at Moerewa.
Young forwards Logan Pocklington and Koro Manawaiti are the only regular 2010 forwards to return.