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Bartercard Cup level, which Buckingham believes will The tour begins on Sunday with a fixture against
Cumbria.

"The Bartercard is getting tougher every year and, more The Kiwis also face Warrington and fixtures against two
importantly, the playing level has improved, which has national league representative sides.
been very good for the Warriors and the national side." The squad:

He says the Warriors development programme has Sione Lusi (Canterbury Bulls), Hale Vaa'sa (North
made a big difference for the younger players in the last Queensland Cowboys), Ricky Henry (Marist

Richmond), Nigel Taumoli (Wellington), Gary Te Pou
"The young boys are training there a few times a week (Eastern Tornadoes), Ben Lythe (Mt Albert), Vila Apuula
and taking that experience back to their clubs, who also (Wellington), Gavin Bailey (Glenora), Steve
Buckingham (Mt Albert), George Tuakura (Otahuhu),

He says the outside backs will be suited to the style of Walter Mackie (Northland), Paul Fisiiahi (Eastern
Tornadoes), Taylor Pelenise (Canterbury Bulls), Hame
Lauaki (Glenora), Lance Poka (Waikato), Aoterangi
He picks out Canterbury's Sione Lusi, former Mount Herangi (Waikato), Jonny Limmer (Wellington), Sinave
Albert colleague Hale Vaa'sa, who has joined the North Faitala (Eastern Tornadoes), Tyrone Pau (Hibiscus
Queensland Cowboys, and Eastern Tornadoes' Paul Coast), Wayne McDade (Mt Albert), Jesse Royal
Fisiiahi as exciting prospects. (Central Falcons), Karl Edmondson (Glenora), Shane
New Zealand A coach Gerard Stokes says performance Beyers (Canterbury Bulls).

and not age was the key factor in his squad selection.
"They have to be tough mentally and physically for this
your-face stuff."