Swords are looking to lift in home clash

The Northern Swords premier side will be looking to play themselves out of trouble when they go up against South Island at Jubilee Park tomorrow in round four of New Zealand Rugby League's national competition.
With two games and a bye under their belts, the Swords now know what this tough competition is all about and they are gearing up to play yet another formidable side in round four.
"The boys are really looking forward to being back home after our away match last weekend. Playing at Jubilee Park will be a big boost for us," coach Revell Neal said.
They have already had two bruising defeats by Counties Manukau and Wellington Orcas last weekend, where a lack of fitness was highlighted in the Northern Zone players following their leap up to the new zonal competition from club level. "Each week we are looking to improve and because of our fitness it is important we have a good first half," Neal said.
"The biggest thing we have to do is break that club football mentality of running straight into each other and use the ball more, but we need to be more fit to do that. Our fitness will probably come right just as the competition is finishing - it takes about six weeks to really develop."
South Island are on four points, after a win, a bye and one loss, placing them on equal points with Counties Manukau, Auckland and Waicoa Bays Stallions.
Their 36-34 loss to Waicoa Bays Stallions last weekend was unexpected and Neal said his team would not be taking them lightly because they dropped a match.
"They are a formidable team, with a large region to choose players from ... they have really used that region as well. Traditionally most of the South Island players have come from Canterbury, but the selectors have picked quite a few players from outside that area."
The Swords go into an overnight camp at Otangarei Marae today , where they will have a light run and a team assessment.
Most of the side has been selected but a few spots need to be filled after the assessment.
Hikurangi's Jordan Rau injured his sternum during the club football final and after another injury against Counties Manukau, missed last weekend's game against Wellington.
Meanwhile, Albert Baskerville Trophy table leaders Wellington Orcas Premiers play Heartland Premiers, who are holding up the Albert Baskerville Trophy standings, while Counties Manukau play Waicoa Bays Stallions.
The Northern Swords 15s kick off the day at Jubilee Park tomorrow at 11.30am, ahead of the 17s at 12.40pm, followed by premiers who get under way from 2pm.

- Northern Swords: 1 Jordan Rau, 2 TBA, 3 TBA, 4 Isaia Turuva, 5 Innocent Tuimavave-Mau, 6 Kyle Hool, 7 Herewini Edmonds, 8 Wiki Record, 9 TBA, 10 Logan Pocklington, 11 Aaron Ferguson, 12 Para Murray, 13 Koro Manawaiti. Interchange: 14 Tane Ravlick, 15 Iki Payne plus two TBA.
- South Island: 1 Jermahl Carroll, 2 Junior Salevao, 3 Phil Dumelow, 4 Bryce Havea, 5 Tyrone Edmonds, 6 Simon Mounga, 7 Josh Reuben, 8 Jaye Pukepuke, 9 Kyle Reuben, 10 Alex Todd, 11 James Baxendale, 12 Phil Nati, 13 Agaese Fiso. Interchange: 14 Shane Tamatea, 15 Kyle Leka, 16 Alex Simpson, Pani Manawatu.