Barrett, Mo'unga to go headtohead

WELLINGTON: Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga will face off at first fiveeighth in tomorrow night's NorthSouth match in Wellington.

The game, essentially an All Black trial, will be played without fans.

All Black coach Ian Foster will then name his first squad of the year on Sunday.

Barrett will run the backline for the North, which includes Damian McKenzie at fullback, and Sevu Reece and young Blues star Caleb Clarke on the wings.

Curiously, although it probably does not matter, TJ Perenara will start at halfback with Aaron Smith on the bench.

The inform Jordie Barrett is at fullback for the South, with exciting Crusaders outside back Will Jordan on the wing.

Mo'unga is at No 10 outside halfback Brad Weber.

Jack Goodhue and Braydon Ennor are in the South midfield, opposite Rieko Ioane and Anton LienertBrown for the North.

In the forwards, Blues No 8 and Super Rugby Aotearoa standout Hoskins Sotutu starts for the North next to openside Ardie Savea and blindside Akira Ioane.

Karl Tu'inukuafe, Asafo Aumua and Ofa Tuungafasi make up the North front row.

All Black loosie Shannon Frizell is at blindside for the South with Tom Christie and openside and Tom Sanders at

No 8.

‘‘It's an exciting squad that we've picked for this special match,’’ North head coach John Plumtree said.

‘‘There's a huge amount of talent in the side. There's some real power in the forwards and some speed in the backs.

‘‘The North has gelled together really well this week and the players are having a lot of fun.

‘‘They're really excited at the challenge against the South and certainly not lacking in any motivation. There will be a real intensity to the match with two really good teams going toe to toe,’’ Plumtree added.

South head coach Brad Mooar, said his side had some strong combinations, with additional strength and pace thrown in as well.

‘‘It's always hard to pick those in the 23 and all 28 in our squad could've been selected.

‘‘We have a fantastic group of men who have all made the most of this week, building relationships and having fun with each other as well as learning new things and formulating our game plan.

‘‘There's been lots of goodnatured banter between the teams and a lot of parochial rivalry.

‘‘The only thing missing at the stadium will be the fans and we're really disappointed we can't share the experience there with them. We know there will be a huge audience watching at home so we hope they'll enjoy what's shaping up as match for the history books,’’ Mooar said.

The Interisland match is steeped in history. The first clash in 1897 was won by the North 163.

The most recent match was in Dunedin in 2012 and won by the South 3224.

The North has won 50 times and the South 27. Three matches have been drawn. — RNZ