New Zealand A Prepared For Torrid
Time

Mt Albert captain Steve Buckingham is prepared for a punishing but rewarding schedule when the New Zealand A league squad leave today for a five-match tour of Britain.

Buckingham, 27, is a former Junior Kiwi, a former Auckland Warrior and one of seven survivors from last year's A tour of France.

He said this tour would be totally different to last year's trip.

"We only have three or four days' turnaround between games and with a squad of 22 we will have to tough it out," Buckingham said.

The tour includes a match against Great Britain in Leeds on Oct 29th, a game Buckingham said would be the biggest match of his career.

The majority of the squad have extensive experience at domestic Bartercard Cup level, which Buckingham believes will serve them in good stead.

"The Bartercard is getting tougher every year and more importantly the playing level has improved, which has been good for the Warriors and the national side," he said.

Buckingham said the New Zealand Warriors' development programme has made a big difference for the younger players in the last few years.

"The young boys are training there a few times a week and taking that experience back to their clubs, who also benefit."

The outside backs are players that will be suited to the style of league in Britain, according to the standoff-cum-halfback.

He picks out Canterbury's Sione Lusi, former Mt Albert colleague Hale Vaa'sa, who has joined the North Queensland Cowboys, and Eastern Tornado's Paul Fisiiahi as exciting prospects.

The tour begins next Sunday with a match against Cumbria. The team also play Warrington and fixtures against the national league representative sides.

New Zealand A squad: Sione Lusi (Canterbury Bulls), Hale Vaa'sa (North Queensland Cowboys), Ricky Henry (Marist Ricmond), Nigel Taumoli (Wellington), Gary Te Pou (Eastern Tornados), Ben Lythe (Mt Albert), Vila Apuula (Wellington), Gavin Bailey (Glenora), Steve Buckingham (Mt Albert), George Tuakura (Otahuhu), Walter Mackie (Northland), Paul Fisiiahi (Eastern Tornados), Taylor Pelenise (Canterbury Bulls), Hame Lauaki (Glenora), Lance Poka (Waikato), Jonny Limmer (Wellington), Sinave Faitala (Eastern Tornados), Tyrone Pau (Hibiscus Coast), Wayne McDade (Mt Albert), Jesse Royal (Central Falcons), Karl Edmondson (Glenora), Shane Beyers (Canterbury Bulls).