Chances to put hand up

CAPTAIN’S RUN: Ken Houkamau, in action against Ngati Porou East Coast at Queen’s Birthday Weekend, will lead Poverty Bay in a pre-season game against Central Bay of Plenty tomorrow. File picture by Paul Rickard

RUGBY

A TRIP to Rotorua tomorrow presents another chance for Poverty Bay players to push their claims for selection as the Heartland campaign draws near.

They’re playing a pre-season game against Central Bay of Plenty and Poverty Bay coach Tom Cairns indicated some decisions about positions and squad make-up were yet to be settled.

“We’re still looking for guys to put their hands up for starting spots, and impact from the bench.”

Cairns said there had been some form changes in club rugby and he also needed to make sure the squad had enough cover.

A few players were unavailable tomorrow with work commitments or injury niggles, he said.

“We’ve got a fairly strong line-up.”

Last weekend the wider squad had workshops, ran team-building exercises and invited whanau to a team dinner.

Poverty Bay play another pre-season game on Saturday next week, against Hawke’s Bay Saracens at Rugby Park.

“We’re making sure everyone is given the opportunity to show what they can do and how they can work within our structures,” Cairns said.

Their season opener in the Heartland Championship is against Thames Valley on August 24 and, two weeks out, Cairns was feeling positive.

“We’ve got a really good crew to work with.”

Plenty is happening on the rugby calendar this weekend.

The Poverty Bay under-20s have a double-header in Palmerston North, playing against Wairarapa Bush tomorrow and Wanganui on Sunday.

A Poverty Bay u18s trial is at the Oval from midday tomorrow and a development side play NZ Marist Colts at the same venue from 2.30pm.

Black Fern Stacey Waaka is running an LRB Sports rugby clinic, mostly for female players, on Saturday and an u13 development series starts on Sunday.

Ngati Porou East Coast are also playing in Rotorua tomorrow, against Te Waiariki Maori.

Their first game in the Heartland competition on August 24 is also away, against Buller at Westport.