Two weeks remain until the Māori Rugby League Tournament in Rotorua kicks off, and teams are already preparing themselves for the big hits to come.
After a five year absence from the competition, Ngāti Umutahi are set to return.
In preparation, they organised a clash in Auckland against their Tūhoe rivals. Rapaera Tawhai has the details.
Ngāti Umutahi say that because they've been out of the competition for five years, there's no team better than Tūhoe to play against in order to prepare themselves.
Ngāti Umutahi was not planning on having a team this year, but because of the passing of one of a family member, the team has come together again.