Head Coach extraordinaire Wayne Pivac has named his initial squad and in unusual developments has selected every senior player in North Harbour Rugby. When asked why he chose 1000+ players, he answered, "best not to leave any stone unturned, you never know when the next James Rodley might come from".

We review a random selection of 34.

Abercrombie, Hayden (North Shore)
Hayden seems to have been around awhile, generally fulfills the number 15 role, so we will see what he is made of in due course. Hayden can kick points but has been left out a bit with "Wonder-kid Botica" hogging the headlines.

Afeaki, Ben (Marist)
A promising prop that has been away winning the IRB World Cup with the Under 20s. A nationally rated player, Ben will be looking to advance his way in to Super 14 contention. Looks good.

Afoa, James (Northcote)
Young James played quite well last year which went against the grain, despite Northcote having an horrific season, Afoa is just too big and good to leave out.

Barker, Sam (North Shore)
Don't know much about wee Samuel, think he is a forward, if he is then I hope he's good, don?t expect him to be in the squad for much of the season. I believe he won the 2nd XV player of the year in 2007.

Biddles, Sam (Takapuna)
Sam arrived with a bit of hype but as far as I know, he has only played about 3 games of rugby before breaking down. Must have a contract so will be as safe as houses in the selection front, looks ok and had a bit of pedigree, so let's hope he stays fit.

Chamberlain, Tom (Marist)
Thomas didn't play well last season and the flankers look a bit thin on the ground in Harbour, surely Dowd can find another Wasps player to fill the gap. He will have to improve out of sight to get any praise from this critic.

Colhoun, Robbie (Silverdale)
They like him in Silverdale but I?m not sure that the feeling is reciprocated south of Stanmore Bay. The boy goes well with the 'Dale but who wouldn't with the quality of female spectators on that deck. I'm just not sure he is ANZC material.

Eves, Chris (Massey)
I have no idea who this is? The only Chris Eves I know pedals his wannabe rock music in MySpace. Unlikely to be the same chap but you never know, it's always handy for someone in the team that can strum "Ten Guitars" while pissed. Possibly a prop.

Farmer, Michael (Massey)
I?ve seen this guy once and he was out-jumped by a halfback. Looks young and should find his way safely back to the 2nds.

France, Matt (Takapuna)
Formerly of Taranaki and Canterbury, Matt looks ok. It should be a right ding-dong battle between Hamilton, Smylie and the Frenchman.

Gopperth, Jimmy (loan player, Wellington)
So, what do we think of loan players, hmm ... ok if they don't cost us lot's of cash. On the face of it we don?t have a lot of options at first five and thank god Botica wasn't promoted. This looks a sensible decision and I will back it for the time being.

Hamilton, Luke (North Shore)
Mouthly little fella, you can hear before he gets to the ground. Directs the 'Shore pack well and we never saw anything of him last year as he was injured early on.

Harris, Michael (Northcote)
Currently injured, I think he was put into the ANZC side last year a bit early. Selected for the NZ Under 20s I think he came home as he came a cropper. He looks ok, just not sure where they will play him.

Helleur, Jamie (loan player, Auckland)
Auckland players do not get a very fair assessment on this site and for good reason. I just don't know what to make about this one, though in saying that Tom McCartney was ok. He will cop a bit of abuse until he scores two tries in a game and we all fall in love with him.

Hincho, James (North Shore)
I thought he had fallen out of favour at Harbour, must have mowed Pivac?s lawns in the off-season. I don't rate him, but he is the senior "pro" in his position so will start I suppose. James will have to improve dramatically in order to win over our discerning readers.

King, James (North Shore possibly)
I think he is tall which no doubt warrants selection.

Maafu, Vili (Massey)
God only knows how he got in, must have a contract, hasn't played well since 2006.

The Brothers Mayhew (Northcote)
The two Ronnie's of Harbour Rugby, but seem to go alright on the pitch. Richard did well last season and is an honest if but not overly exciting player. I haven't really seen his brother in action and he is new to the hooking role, who knows they might turn out ok.

McPhee Jack (Glenfield)
Jack was generally regarded as a player who did well in 2007. A true utility, Jacky should get a fair share of game-time.

Parsons, James (Takapuna)
Another product of the academy, warmed the bench last year, will probably "duke" it out with James "Harvey Wallbanger" Hincho for the hooking spot.

The Brothers Pisi (Massey)
For the first time in a number of years we wont be writing about Tusi which is reasonably refreshing. These two are good and Pivac will be wishing that they can "light it up" in 2008.

Purdy, Martin (English Player)
Have no idea.

Ravulo, Malakai (Helensville)
I saw this guy not so long ago, very good player at No. 8. Worth a shot definitely.

Reid, Michael (Marsit)
Prop I think, know nothing about him.

Smith, Adrian (Massey)
See above.

Smith, Chris (Takapuna)
Chris is fresh from captaining the NZ Under 20s to World Cup glory. He was injured for most of last year so this could be his best chance to show himself to Super 14 selectors, looks good.

Smylie, Chris (Massey)
Chris went away to find fame and fortune in Otago and like most of them they come back with their tail between their legs when they realise outside the Super 14, Dunedin is a hole. He will have to prove he is worthy of a start before I even acknowledge his presence.

Tuitavake, Nafi (Massey)
I just hope Nafi is like his brother.

Tuitoga, Jona (Helensville)
This little guy is extremely fast, I don't think I've seen pace and stepping like it, give him a go.

Waqaseduadua, Vili (North Shore)
A shadow of his former self last year but then again who wasn't, hasn't been seen much in club rugby will have to find that golden touch again.

Wilson, Ryan (Silverdale)
I?m a little surprised to see the walking pylon back, again must have a contract. A bit average if you ask me.

York, Josh (ECB)
There's never really anything to get excited about at Bays, Josh could be the sole reason they open their doors. A noted 7s star, Josh is a bit of unknown in the fifteens game, we will have to see.

General:
Team is again very young but predictable. The loose forward trio appears to be a concern but otherwise they have little to lose but will need to go well early if they expect 100+ fans. Gopperth looks to be a good bit of business, we wish them well. My only concern is that they have obviously picked contracted players despite their form or lackthereof.

Management:
It's the last throw of the dice for these guys. After throwing away the shield and subjecting 10 members of the public to abysmal footie they have a lot to prove, will be very interesting indeed.