The return of halfback Josh Edwards from Australia and the first appearance of big Taihape forward Dan Aldworth were the features of Wanganui's rugby training run at Cooks Gardens last night.
No 2 halfback Edwards appeared to be fully fit after coming back from his father Dave's funeral in Sydney.
And Aldworth certainly offered size to the Wanganui squad of 30-odd as they went through a skills, ruck-and-run session which, it appears, was rather more effective than a similar one the previous night.
Five-eighth Steelie Koro, the likely second-five for Saturday's Heartland Championship opener against Thames Valley, ran freely, but whether his arm injury is completely right will only be found out in tonight's final session.
Out of Saturday's match for certain are experienced forwards Nemai Adrole and Mike Thompson, and they could also miss the King Country match the following week.
Loose forward Timoci Ului is also doubtful with a leg infection.
Pati Fetuai'i and Amini Nuikula, who both suffered slight hamstring strains against Taranaki B, moved freely enough, but Ratana prop Isaac Fonotoe sat out field training because of a nerve problem in the neck.
Saturday's side will be named at tonight's training, and all going well with injuries, could look something like this:
Arteria Arteria, Pati Fetuai'i, Logan Vaughan, Steelie Kporo, Aseali Tikoirotuma, Leon Mason, Denning Tyrell, Matt Gilbert, Peter Rowe, Andrew Evans/Ului, Michael Fitzgerald, Andrew Slight, Ngaphre Huia, Brett Turner, Sheldon O'Hagan.
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