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Rugby League: Tourists set for tough schedule Bartercard Cup level, which Buckingham believes will

serve them well.
13.10.2003 "The Bartercard is getting tougher every year and, more
By GORDON GILLAN importantly, the playing level has improved, which has

Mt Albert captain Steve Buckingham is prepared for a been very good for the Warriors and the national side."
punishing but rewarding schedule when the New He says the Warriors development programme has
Zealand A league squad leave for a five-game tour of made a big difference for the younger players in the last
Britain today. few years.

The 27-year-old arborist is a former Junior Kiwi, a "The young boys are training there a few times a week
former Auckland Warrior and one of seven survivors and taking that experience back to their clubs, who also
from last year's A tour of France. benefit."

He says this tour will be very different to last year's trip He says the outside backs will be suited to the style of
to mainland Europe. football in Britain.

"We have only three or four days turnaround between He picks out Canterbury's Sione Lusi, former Mount
games, and with a squad of 22 we will have to tough it Albert colleague Hale Vaa'sa, who has joined the North
out." Queensland Cowboys, and Eastern Tornadoes' Paul

The tour includes an October 29 clash with Great Fisiiahi as exciting prospects.

Britain at Headingley Stadium in Leeds, a fixture that New Zealand A coach Gerard Stokes says performance
Buckingham admits will be the biggest game of his and not age was the key factor in his squad selection.
career. "They have to be tough mentally and physically for this

Most of the squad have extensive experience at tour as it will be real in-your-face stuff."