KEY POINTS:
The Auckland Lions take on Parramatta Eels in the New South Wales Premier League at Mt Smart today in a match that marks the birth of an initiative Kiwis coach Brian McClennan says is "vital" to New Zealand's international future.
Underwritten by the Auckland Rugby League and funded through community trusts and sponsorship, the Graeme Norton-coached Lions will play at home and away against NRL reserve grade sides and feeder clubs.
Their home matches will all be played as curtain-raisers to Warriors matches and televised on Sky.
"It has created a solid pathway here for young players," McClennan said.
"For me, this is vital.The dividends won't get paid until two or three years' time. But it should help more players into the NRL and, the more Kiwi players we have playing in the NRL, the more depth we have."
In recent seasons the number of NRL players eligible for the Kiwis had been in the 30s.
"Within two years we want to get that up to 40 and, not long after that, start nudging 50. If you've got that happening, we are going to get stronger."
As the director of coaching, McClennan will oversee the club's on-field activities, with chairman Malcolm Boyle running things off-field.
The majority of the club's players will be from the Bartercard Cup but the side will also include a sprinkling of Warriors not selected for first grade.
It is the first time a New Zealand team has competed at this level since 1997, when the Warriors last fielded a reserve grade side during the Super League season.
"When you look back at the Warriors reserve grade side in the early days, all the good young ones came through there," McClennan said.
"You were able to go down and watch the budding stars and they all moved on into the top grade and into internationals."
The team will play in traditional Auckland colours, with Boyle describing it as "very much an Auckland club representative side".
The biggest challenge facing the Lions was a lack of preparation time, Boyle said.
"We would love to have had another three or four months but that's just the way it was. We had to get all our ducks in a row.
"But we are optimistic. We would love to think that we could make the eight but we understand it is going to be difficult from the start because our guys haven't had the conditioning that some of our opponents have. But the further the season goes on the better we will be."
Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah is also a fan of the initiative.
"It will be a great drawcard for Aucklanders, to come out and see a team playing against Australians, dressed in Auckland blue," said Scurrah. "It's a great chance to showcase local league and give people a stepping stone to the NRL."
LIONS v PARRAMATTA
Mt Smart Stadium, 5.10pm today.
Lions team:
Patrick Kapi, Malo Solomona, Todd Byrne, Constantine Mika, Cooper Vuna, Steve Buckingham (c), Isaac John, Russell Packer, Kelvin Wright, Wayne McDade, Scott Jones, Sonny Fai, Corey Lawrie.
Interchange:
Kimi Uasi, Shannon Stowers, Lui Toimoana, Leeson Ah Mau.
