The New Zealand Warriors South Island 18s boys tournament will be held at the Kensington Oval this weekend, which is shaping up as a chance for future stars to push for higher honours.
Otago, who head in as favourites, will face West Coast and Southland in the two-day tournament.
Southern zone rugby league general manager Liam Turner said it was a big opportunity for the area.
"It’s great for the game down here," Turner said.
"Obviously with the academy as well being based here in Dunedin, and the energy around the game at the moment, it’s exciting to have this tournament this weekend here in Dunedin."
Future Warriors coach Tony Iro will be looking for players and other scouts could be present.
Among the players to watch are South Otago prodigy Kairus Booth, who signed with the Warriors, and Otago’s Mason Lome-Hindle after being MVP at the recent national nines and part of the Southern Zone Warriors Academy.
West Coast player Antonio Verhoeven is another on the radar who has been signed by the Brisbane Broncos.
Canterbury will skip the tournament to attend the national tournament instead of the South Island event for the first time in more than 14 years.
It means a new district will be crowned champions for the first time and the South Island Scorpions side — which will be selected from the tournament — will not feature Canterbury players.
That opens the door for others to stamp their mark for the Scorpions, who compete in the national youth tournament in October in front of NRL scouts.
Dunedin player Torino Jackson signed with the Gold Coast Titans after his performance at the tournament last year.
"He went up to nationals and probably played his fourth or fifth game of rugby league and was signed," Turner said.
"That’s how good these opportunities are for these kids in rugby league which is pretty exciting."
