QBE Harbour take on Northland today...

Coach Steve Jackson has picked a very exciting line-up for his first pre-season match against Northland at QBE Stadium tomorrow.

The side includes 3 players under 19 – Dylan Lam, James Little and Lewis Gjaltema and 2 boys under 20 – Connor Collett and Mark Telea.

This is balanced by a couple of old familiar faces returning in Chris Smylie and Jon Elrick.

Jackson is delighted at the way the campaign is coming together. "The boys are looking forward to it they have trained well all week. We have been focusing on a few areas for this game, so if we can apply these we will be happy." Whilst coy on what these areas are, Jackson is very conscious of the need to adapt to the new laws.

Michael Little and Afa Faatau have returned early from the Blues and will take part.

The Team will be captained by Chris Vui and will include the first hit out for Murphy Taramai in North Harbour colours. "This match will give us an early guage on where we are at." The early indications suggest the refs will be strict with interpretation of the new Laws, and with Harbour boy Brendon Pickerill fresh of Super Rugby and onto the Mitre10 Cup whistle we expect he will be keen to ensure he is onto the new laws as well.

The team is:

1 Toketa Fatai

2 Ray Nuiia

3 Jody Allen

4 Brandon Nansen

5 Chris Vui ©

6 Glen Preston

7 Kane Jacobsen

8 Murphy Taramai

9 Chris Smylie

10 Bryn Gatland

11 Afa Faatau