The impending announcement of the first representative training squad has added some intrigue to a round of Anzac Day club rugby fixtures today, with the first pre-season camp now just 10 days away.
And if the drumbeats from Northland rugby headquarters ring true, then there will be some fresh new faces
thrown into the mix at what is expected to be another energy-sapping pre-season boot camp.
Last year coaches Mark Anscombe and Bruce Robertson introduced themselves to the squad with a series of sadistic sprints up massive sand dunes in the Far North. This time they are planning a visit to a marae near Herekino and are busy scheduling another three-day fitness adventure for the players.
Anscombe was giving away very little, other than to promise a bit of gut-busting action mixed in with some mental agility.
"Last year it was all about seeing who had the fitness; this time we might just add a few mental tests for the players as well to see who uses their brains when put under a bit of pressure," Anscombe said.
Anscombe will release the training squad tomorrow, after a full round of the Northland-wide championship at various venues today.
But it would be a massive surprise if several newcomers like midfield back Fetu Vainakolo, his Wellsford club mate Leo Taliu and promoted youngsters Derek Carpenter (Mid Northern) and Troy Woodman (Hora Hora) were not included in the training squad.
Vainakolo has scord 16 tries in four club games this season while Carpenter and Woodman are making a name for themselves in their first season of senior club rugby.
None of the three Super 14 players, David Holwell, Justin Collins and Jake Paringatai, will be included in Anscombe's training squad.
Several others, Josh Levi, Stan Wright and Dan Goodwin included, will also be missing as they are still playing overseas.
But the core of the squad will be there, with several newcomers chucked in to see how they measure up.
As a result there will be much interest today in the clash between Mid Northern and Wellsford at Hukerenui, where several prospective squad members will be playing.
Kamo travel to Dargaville to play the Western Sharks, Hikurangi host Marist and a resurgent Hora Hora face a big test against unbeaten Waipu at Waipu in other games.
