"I guess (Taranaki joining the Chiefs) was the catalyst to make it happen. I came up to a meeting of the northern regions last November and the organising committee was looking for a 10th team to even up the numbers in the tournament. Long story short, it was logical for Taranaki to enter a team and we were absolutely delighted to have our entry into Roller Mills. It's a real milestone for Taranaki rugby," says Major.
"There are a number of people within the Taranaki union who have come from the northern region and are very much aware of the Roller Mills and indeed some played in it."
The Taranaki Roller Mills squad has been in full swing for a month since the selections were made out of the annual Ross Brown tournament for primary schools within the union. Out of that has come a solid group, including a handful of raw-boned farmers' boys. The captain is "a very upstanding young gentleman" by the name of Rowan Slater, son of former All Black and Taranaki stalwart Gordon Slater. However, it might be a stretch to say Rowan is a chip off the old block. He will play No 8 and is built more in the tall, lean, rangy mould of his uncle Andy Slater, another union centurion.
The Taranaki Community Rugby Trust is the major sponsor of the team, so fundraising efforts did not have to be extensive to get the team there and fed for the week, in these post-billeting days.
The coaches are former Taranaki halfback Michael Carr and Ricky Tito, brother of Paul Tito.
"We've got an outstanding coaching group and we've selected the cream of the crop out of the Ross Brown tournament. We've got some talented kids, but we're under no allusions. It's our first foray into Roller Mills and there'll be lessons to learn," said Major.
The Roller Mills tournament has run since 1925 and is a weight restricted (now Under 57kg with player weighed every day) for primary and intermediate schools ages (under 13 on January 1).
Last year, due to concerns about player welfare and rising costs, the tournament was played over several weekends, but it is back, by popular demand, in the week-long format. Auckland East are the defending champions, but Bay of Plenty, which carries a strong pedigree in this tournament, have shown hot pre-season form, so shape as the team to beat out of Section B.
The matches will be played at Kensington Oval, and the Northland union is keen to put on a good show.
"It's our first Northland team we put out on the field, and it's like any Northland side in that everyone wants to be in it," says Northland Rugby Union operations manager Kyal Collins.
"Northland traditionally do really well in Roller Mills rugby. I see it as our best age in which we can compete because from this level Northland starts to lose players."
Northland face King Country at 1.40pm on day one, while Taranaki and Waikato lock horns at 1pm.
*For further information on Roller Mills history, visit http://rollermillsrugby.co.nz. For results, news and the draw from the 2015 tournament, visit www.facebook.com/RollerMillsRugby
