Rugby: Northland face skeleton crew

Friday night will be Norman Berryman's last home game for Northland. It might be Justin Collins' farewell match as well, when they meet Counties-Manukau in a home NPC rugby match.

First five-eighths Tony Monaghan and halfback Joggie Viljoen could yet be lost to Northland next season, too, as Super 12 contracts and overseas offers threaten to plunder the province's rugby stocks.

"It is Normy's last game on Okara Park.

"That is certainly a motivating factor and we still have a shot at the top four, so that's a factor as well," captain Glenn Taylor said.

"Guys are aware things are happening. We just know that things are going to be different next season.

"While we definitely know Norm is going, we just don't know what's going to happen with the other fellows."

Berryman will head to the Castres Olympique club in France at the end of Northland's NPC campaign.

The future of Northland's star flanker Collins, however, remains unclear.

He is thinking about a Super 12 offer from Australia, but he also wants a crack at the All Blacks' tour of France and Italy in November.

The New Zealand A team's tour of Europe while the All Blacks are away also comes into the equation.

Collins was unwilling to comment.

National sevens star Monaghan is locked in talks with the New Zealand Rugby Football Union after receiving offers from French and Italian clubs.

However, the prospect of playing for New Zealand in January's sevens World Cup in Argentina could force him to remain in the country.

South African import Viljoen has made no secret of his motivation to play in New Zealand - he wants a Super 12 contract.

But Viljoen may be forced to relocate to a province within the Wellington Hurricanes franchise to achieve that after playing for them this year.

There are suggestions he may be asked to move to Taranaki next season.

"There are guys in this team who have really put their hands up," Taylor said of possible Super 12 contracts coming their way.

"Robbie Johnson, for a start, and Hayden Taylor, too.

"They have had fantastic seasons, so hopefully they will get recognised."

Northland coach Bryce Woodward will name his team to play Counties-Manukau after training tonight.

- NZPA