One veteran midfielder returning to representative duties and a couple of players earning rapid promotion from the Development XV are the noteworthy names in the Steelform Wanganui starting lineup to play Taranaki B in Hawera this afternoon.
After the training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, coach Jason Caskey has recalled Marist centre Cameron Crowley.
The 2008 NZ Heartland player of the year as a winger, Crowley returns to the Wanganui seniors after making 36 appearances between 2008-10, before heading off to Perth on a semi-professional deal in 2011.
He adds experience to what would have been an untried midfield.
Taihape prop Hadlee Hay-Horton and Pirates goal-kicking fullback Tupu Tavae come straight up from coach Ross Williams' Development XV to join the senior team's bench.
Former Highlander Craig Clare will start at No10 ahead of Taihape player Dane Whale, while Simon Dibben and Samu Kubunavanua, who has had an ankle injury, are currently bracketed for the starting winger spot and the bench.
Young Metro fullback Te Rangatira Waitokia gets a big opportunity at fullback.
The Wanganui Development team will also play in Hawera against the Taranaki Under 19's.
That game kicks off at 1pm, with the main match at 2.45pm.
Two former Wanganui players, who until recently could have been in the frame to return as imports, will be making a fist of it today with the full Taranaki team against Counties Manukau in a pre-season match in Otorohanga.
NZ Heartland XV and NZ Under 20's representative Stephen Perofeta, 19, will start at No10 for Taranaki, while former Hawkes Bay player Trinity Spooner-Neera is one of the back reserves.
The teams are:
Wanganui
1. Tietie Tuimauga; 2. Roman Tutauha; 3. Viki Tofa; 4. Sam Madams; 5. Gavin Thornbury; 6. Campbell Hart; 7. Peter Rowe (c); 8. Malakai Volou; 9. Lindsay Horrocks; 10. Craig Clare; 11. Michael Nabuliwaqe; 12. Kameli Kuruyabaki; 13. Cameron Crowley; 14. Samu Kubunavanua/Simon Dibben; 15. Te Rangatira Waitokia.
Reserves - Forwards: 16. Cole Baldwin; 17. Hamish Mellow; 18. Hadlee Hay-Horton; 19. Renato Tikoisolomone; 20. Jamie Hughes. Backs: 21. Kane Tamou; 22. Dane Whale; 23. Simon Dibben/Samu Kubunavanua; 24. Tupu Tavae.
Taranaki Development
1. Murray Turner; 2. Willie McBride; 3. Todd Curtis; 4. Jack Jordan; 5. Peter Northcott; 6. Trent Pickering; 7. Hayden Patene; 8. Kolaia Nalewabau; 9. Ryan Bishop; 10. Eli Kneepkens; 11. Pita Sowakula; 12. Mitch Williams; 13. Ben Leng; 14. Tayler Haskell; 15. Jayson Potroz.
Reserves - Baxter King, Mathew Brown, Scott Mellow, Matthew Kissick, Cody Mason, Thomas McElroy, Nick Childs, Telly Hemopo.