Push for top 8 spot for U19s

In just its second year of being, Northland's Under-19 rugby team is hoping to be seeded in the top eight before the national tournament kicks off next month.

The first step in achieving that goal comes next Saturday as the side begins its season with a warm-up game against Auckland A at Waipu. While next weekend's result does not exactly have a bearing on where they will be ranked in the national tournament, it is a chance to nail down processes and gameplans ahead of the seeding matches that begin two weeks later.

Northland's seeding matches for the Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under-19 Tournament are against Auckland A, Auckland B, and North Harbour, as teams are grouped as per their Super Rugby affiliation.

Northland coach Mark Wells believes the team has the potential to make the top eight.

"It is a very tough draw [but] Northland has talent, that's for sure. We need to nurture it and continue to show the players the pathway available to the top," Wells said.

"Look at Josh Goodhue, who was our captain last year. He just played in the Junior All Blacks' World Cup winning squad. It can be done from here."

Wells, who coached the inaugural Northland Under-19 side, added there had already been players who had used the team as a stepping stone to ITM Cup level. Last year, Northland flanker Jaycob Matiu was called into the Taniwha side as injury cover and has now secured a contract for the season. Joining Matiu in the Taniwha ranks this season is Goodhue.

While Matiu and Goodhue are last year's success stories, Wells believes there are plenty more who could follow in their footsteps. "Keep an eye out for Tom Smith, Louie Ward, Swayne Rakele, Jevon Halverson, Andrew and Sam McNamarra, Steve Smith, and a few more I have yet to see be tested at top level," he said.

"The national tournament is very well run and it really gives the players some decent exposure to the scouts."

However, making the top eight seeding for the national tournament is just the beginning in Wells's eyes.

"Then we want to do as well as possible at the tournament and develop the players for the Taniwha's ITM Cup campaign."

Joining the Northland Under-19 team in kicking off their season next weekend is the Taniwha ITM Cup side, who face Hawke's Bay for the Ranfurly Shield on Sunday.