A five-strong group of young Wanganui speed skaters will wear the Silver Fern against the Australians at the Oceania Speed Skating championships in Palmerston North next week.
It is an experienced line-up of four who will be joined by one international rookie at Memorial Park.
Wanganui club spokesman Ken Smith said Rebecca Smith and Nicole Travers would be competing at their fifth Oceania championships and should form the backbone of the New Zealand Junior Girls' (Under-19) squad, "who, for the first time in years, are likely to be outnumbered by their Australian rivals".
"Having been medal winners as part of previous winning teams, the duo will be determined not to loosen their grip on the Oceania Trophy," Mr Smith said.
Rebecca Smith in particular would be looking to take a leadership role after good form at the nationals earlier this year, when she dominated her age group while joining with clubmate Jessica van Bentum in pushing New Zealand No1 Nicole Begg to her limit in senior competition.