Future stars in southern lineup

Canterbury will unveil some of their potential future stars when they open their NPC campaign against Northland in Whangarei this afternoon.

Among them will be centre Casey Laulala, the national junior representative who headed south after a brief fight with his old union, Counties Manukau, last season.

While Canterbury are badly hit by defections to the test squad, Northland are missing Fijians Rupeni Caucaunibuca and Vula Maimuri and veteran captain Glenn Taylor is likely to miss the first three rounds because of an ankle problem.

Winger Sam Davis has been whistled into the Northland squad in a surprise move by coaches Donny Stevenson and Mark Seymour.

Until now the exact composition of Stevenson's list of contracted players remained a mystery as the pair struggled to finalise the squad. Davis first played for Northland nine years ago when he was plucked from the Bay of Islands College first XV by Sid Going to play France. He played 13 games for Northland, then disappeared from the first division scene.

Davis was settling himself for a season with the Northland second XV, unaware he was so close to winning a place in the NPC squad.

"I just wanted to play because I had not played for a couple of years," he said.

"I am pretty stoked because once you get a taste of representative rugby you just want more and to be truthful I missed it," he said. Stevenson said Davis' experience, size and strength stood out when he was searching for back-up for the backs.

Squad selection had been hampered by players' ongoing injury problems.

Northland did have good news concerning lock Brad Taylor, utility forward Lee Jones and popular Norman Berryman. All three were named in the starting team after missing training on Tuesday.

Canterbury are without backs Andrew Mehrtens and Nathan Mauger. Mehrtens has a damaged calf muscle while Mauger is lacking fitness.

Lock Norm Maxwell is on the bench for disciplinary reasons after he was late for a training session.

Northland will be delighted with a first-up win, but Canterbury, despite their test absentees, will be a tough nut to crack.

Teams:

Northland: Jared Going, Fero Lasagavibau, Jason Shoemark, Norm Berryman, Matt Faleuka, James Arlidge, Sam Payne; Jake Paringatai, Luke Ottley, Mose Tuiali'i, Brad Taylor, Lee Jones (c), Tim Knight, Jason Hammond, Bronson Murray. Res: Tim Dow, Ted Carew, Nisi Naufahu Rangi Tamarua; Lee Peina, Josh Levi, Sam Davis.

Canterbury: Ben Blair, Scott Hamilton, Casey Laulala, Doug Tausili, Caleb Ralph, Cameron McIntyre, Ben Hurst (c); Sam Broomhall, Johnny Leo'o, Scott Robertson, Matt Dalzell, Daniel Turner, Campbell Johnstone, Jed Vercoe, Greg Feek. Res: Tone Kopelani, Chris King, Norm Maxwell, Andrew Morgan; Jamie Nutbrown, Charlie Hore, Alisi Tupuailei.

Ref: Bryce Lawrence. Kickoff: 2.35pm.