In New Zealand, Northland 's NPC coach, Bryce Woodward, has cast his net wide in the search for success in the 2001 competition, which opens in August.

Woodward has been hit hard by the defections of a group of key players, but still retains a core of experience around which to re-build. Norm Berryman is playing in France with Castres and Tony Monaghan and Robbie Jonhson have both takes up contracts with Japanese clubs. Justin Collins and Samiu Vahafolau have both transferred to Auckland and Joggie Viljoen has returned home to South Africa.

Nevertheless, Northland look certain to be able to field a competitive pack of forwards once again. In 2000, very few opponents got the better of Tim Knight and Mike Storey in the front row, Knight going on to play a more than useful role in the Chiefs' return to respectability in Super 12. New Zealand A skipper Glenn Taylor and Highlanders' Vula Maimuri form a formidable-looking locking partnership once again and local loose forwards Brett Waaka and Allen Tubbs will add punch and pace to the back row.

Amonget the backs Jared Going and Hayden Taylor have extensive New Zealand sevens and Super 12 experience, respectively, Jason Hita is a seasoned NPC player and Sam Pinder and Jason Shoemark are promising youngsters who have represented New Zealand at Under 19 and Colts level.

The full Northland squad is :

Backs: Eric Abraham, Aaron Baigent, Rhyan Caine, Clint Going, Jared Going, Jason Hita, Stewart Henwood, Aaron Hollis, Brad Miller, Sana Stewart, Jason Shoemark, Fred Tua, Hayden Taylor, Hamish Bennett, Sam Pinder, Darryl Whittaker.

Forwards : Tim Dow, Jason Hammond, Russell James, Craig Williamson, Reyno Botha, Bevan Hand, Tim Knight, Mike Storey, Jared Stratton, Derren Witcombe, Ryan Cooper, Leslie Gates, Vula Maimuri, Richard Smailes, Brad Taylor, Glenn Taylor, Akapani Vaipulu, Craig Carter, Tim Henwood, Graham Hilton-Jones, Joe Parkinson, Jason Peseta, Allen Tubbs, Brett Waaka, Aaron Wright, Hayden Wright.