Auckland coach Nick White has named a talented extended group from which the core of the Mitre 10 squad will be formed.

Three of the squad – prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi, loose forward Jerome Kaino and threequarter Rieko Ioane – were today named in the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship, so their involvement for Auckland will likely be limited.

New signings include the Ponsonby club duo of fullback Jordan Trainor, schooled at St Peter’s College, and returning home after two years in Waikato, and former first five Daniel Bowden, who has a wealth of professional experience in New Zealand and Europe, and who played the last of his seven games for the union in 2009.

Wing Caleb Clarke, son of former Auckland and Suburbs centre Eroni Clarke, is included after some compelling club form for Suburbs and an outstanding campaign for the world champion New Zealand Under 20s in June.

There is a logjam in midfield, where Malakai Fekitoa looks likely to feature for his first full season for Auckland since 2013 before taking up his contract with French club Toulon. Other prominent names are Vince Aso of the Hurricanes and George Moala and TJ Faiane of the Blues. The latter looks set to wear the blue and white jersey for the first time since 2014 after terrible recent luck with injury.

In the pack, the likes of Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson and Taleni Seu, all seasoned Super Rugby performers now, should see extensive game time, while Blues reps Scott Scrafton and Patrick Tuipulotu should lead the way in the second-row. Michael Fatialofa is still rehabbing a knee injury from the Hurricanes’ campaign, so is unlikely to feature.

Rookies such as Suburbs loose forward Jamason Fa’anana-Shultz and College Rifles No 10 Otu Mausia are rewarded for strong club form in 2017.

Many of the 42 names are in Japan as the squad undergoes a pre-season in warmer northern climes, playing two games, the last of which is on Wednesday against Coca-Cola Red Sparks. Auckland defeated the Sanix Blues on the weekend.

“It’s a challenging environment for everyone, adapting to the many differences operating in a foreign country brings – weather, language, culture and traditions,” says second year head coach White.

“It’s been a great opportunity to develop our personal relationships and team culture outside our comfort zone as well as giving many of our young players a chance to test themselves at a level higher than club and age-grade rep teams.

“Our hosts – Dream Rugby Fukuoka – have been fantastic and we have had a good balance of rugby and experiencing Japanese culture and food. We are happy with our result against Sanix and look forward to continuing to improve our on-field performance on Wednesday.

The tour will set the foundation for the season ahead.”

The squad will fly back to Auckland on Friday.

The 2017 Auckland captain is due to be named next week. The final Mitre 10 Cup squad will be confirmed on Monday ahead of Auckland’s 2017 Mitre 10 Cup Premiership opener against Counties Manukau in Pukekohe on August 19. – Campbell Burnes

Outside backs:

Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby)

Melani Nanai (Manukau)

Joe Ravouvou (College Rifles)

Salesi Rayasi (Marist)

Caleb Clarke (Suburbs)

Rieko Ioane (Ponsonby)

Pryor Collier (Ponsonby)

Midfielders:

George Moala (Grammar TEC)

Loketi Manu (College Rifles)

Malakai Fekitoa (Pakuranga)

TJ Faiane (Pakuranga)

Tumua Manu (College Rifles)

Vince Aso (Ponsonby)

First fives:

Daniel Bowden (Ponsonby)

Otu Mausia (College Rifles)

Wiseguy Faiane (Pakuranga)

Halfbacks:

Jono Hickey (Grammar TEC)

Leon Fukofuka (Marist)

Lisati Milo-Harris (Grammar TEC)

Loose forwards:

Akira Ioane (Ponsonby)

Blake Gibson (Ponsonby)

Jerome Kaino (University)

Jamason Fa’anana-Shultz (Suburbs)

Dalton Papali’i (Pakuranga)

Sinclair Dominikovich-Murray (University)

Taleni Seu (Grammar TEC)

Locks:

Patrick Tuipulotu (Ponsonby)

Ben Neenee (Pakuranga)

Michael Fatialofa (Ponsonby)

Sam Ulufonua (Ponsonby)

Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC)

Samuel Slade (Ponsonby)

Hookers:

Greg Pleasants-Tate (Ponsonby)

Kurt Eklund (University)

JP Sauni (College Rifles)

Props:

Dexter Fa’amoana (College Rifles)

Emersen Tamura-Paki (College Rifles)

Isi Tu’ungafasi (Suburbs)

Marcel Renata (University)

Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Grammar TEC)

Sam Prattley (Pakuranga)

Tom McHugh (Grammar TEC)