Northland's Adam Blair wannabes hit the field today to impress on selectors they are good enough to take on Stacey Jones' Warriors Development team.
The trial match between North and South zone players will see an Adam Blair XIII selected.
Rugby League Northland general manager Alex Smits said today's trial is an opportunity for young players to be selected to test themselves against a stronger opposition.
"There's a lot of talent out there," said Smits. "It'll be interesting to see the North and South teams, I've refereed three weeks of the South zone and seen an improvement week in week out.
"[But], I refereed the North zone on Thursday and thought they were a few steps behind. Really it's an opportunity for some of these guys to put their hands up and have a go."
Smits said across both teams there were about 30 per cent of players who were in Northern Swords teams last year.
"Some of them [Swords players] come with a reputation already, and the other guys are pretty green rugby players.
"It's like any trial, you sort of don't know who will turn up until the day. The trial teams have been nominated by coaches of their respected teams and there are a couple of clear leaders in the [Adam Blair trophy] competition."
Smits said league in Northland had provided some rugby players with a chance to excel at a sport which may in fact suit their skills a lot better than rugby. He used Kamo High School's Caleb Houltham as a prime example of what can be achieved.
"Caleb Houltham is a pretty special player," explained Smits. "He's a rugby boy, but has the potential to be something.
"He's not the sort of standoff that Benji Marshall is, who can turn a game on individual brilliance. It's the small things he does well which creates the opportunities outside him.
"He's got a very good pass on him and from what I've seen he makes the right decisions. He's tough as nails as well."
Smits also said Shae Currie, of Kamo High was an exciting prospect to keep an eye on after having had a year away from the sport because of injury. He said Currie was a Northern Swords member in 2011 and was proving to be solid this year.
With the Warriors taking on Sonny Bill Williams' Sydney Roosters tonight, there should not be a lack of excitement among Northland rugby league fans. The trial match could provide an ideal curtain raiser for those interested in following tonight's Warriors clash.
If rugby union's clashes between North and South zones are anything to go by then today's clash at Bay of Islands College will be a passionate affair with plenty of entertainment. The match kicks off at 2pm.
Next weekend the Adam Blair XIII has a training camp which aims to give those selected a training weekend where they can work on team unity. The following weekend, March 30, the Adam Blair XIII take on the Warriors Development team at Lindvart Park in what will be the curtain raiser for the Rugby League Northland Premiership kick-off.
North Zone: Tumoana Halkyard, Kapene Ripikoi, Teano Aranoa, Chaz Witere, Rehia Parangi, Tama Waitai-Henare, Hamish Pomare, Sean Rawiri, Mana Barry-Taylor, Deveron Philip, Keegan Murray, Peter Smith, Joshua Mane Akulu, Michael Larkim, Piri Croft, Stevie-Rae Haenga-Albert, Demrys Croft-Haenga, Kingston Croft-Haenga, Joel Hetaraka, Mike Matiu, Paerangi Kopa, Harding Leef, Haki Warmington, Ihaka Hauraki, Patrick Tarewa, Toloto Tanginoa, Antonius Hepi. Head coach: Benson Selwyn. Asst Coach: Anton Pomare.
South Zone: Chaz Watene, Aaron James, Jahdon Palmer, Raina Mata, Chance Ruka, Danyon Hati, Hiamona Tierney, Michael Maake, Kane Pomare, Daniel Fulop, Paea Lavaka, Manaaki Bretherton, Jesse Dominique Chapman, Shae Roy Currie, Mathew Duff Hewett, Swayn Rakete, Flynn Rolton, Caleb Michael Houltham, Ayden Bryce Foster, Moriki Read, James Fisher-Harris, Tremaine Hepi, Darrin Skinner, Caleb Aetkins, Kauri Harema. Head coach: Joe Henare. Asst Coach: Peter Gray.