Coast ring the changes

leading the charge: Ngati Porou East Coast halfback Sam Parkes, takes on Poverty Bay forward Ken Houkamau in a derby match last year. Parkes and Kris Palmer (right) are two of only five players retained from the Coast’s 22-man squad from their last match of the 2015 Heartland Championship. Picture by Liam Clayton

NGATI Porou East Coast coaches Troy Para and Wayne Ensor have retained only five of the 22 players from their final game of the 2015 Heartland season for the Queen’s Birthday Weekend clash against Poverty Bay at Ruatoria on June 4.

Halfback Sam Parkes, prop Pera Bishop, lock Hone Haerewa, winger Kris Palmer and utility back Pamona Samupo are the survivors.

TK Moeke, who played centre in that last 2015 match, is in this year’s Bay squad.

Apart from centurion Charlie Harrison and Moeke, the big names missing are 2015 skipper Lennon Carrington, Tanetoa Parata, Richard Apanui, Donny Mill and Kareti Palmer.

“They have either not been playing regularly or are not available at this stage,” said forwards coach Ensor.

“We also wanted to reward players who have been playing well for their clubs.

“But this squad is for this game. There will be opportunities for others to force their way into the squad for the Heartland Championship.”

Has not missed a sessionAlthough based in Gisborne and coaching the High School Old Boys premier side, Ensor has been to every Coast training session.

“I’ve been very impressed with the attitude of all the players. You can tell a lot about a player’s character by the way they train. We’ve always known that Coast teams play with a lot of passion but I’ve been impressed with the skills of the players.

“Our job is to harness that passion, along with the skills, add fitness work and use this game as a stepping stone. We’ve had some good training sessions and last weekend we had a team-building session indoors, which was a lot of fun.

“Sam Parkes was chosen as captain not only because he is one of the best players, but he trains hard and has the respect of the players.”

Ensor said while no championships points were at stake in the Queen’s Birthday game, their supporters expected a win.

“Ultimately we’ll be looking down the track at the Heartland but, damn right, we want to win this one.”

Included in the squad are players from outside the district — Tovio Fidow (Marist St Michael’s club, Bay of Plenty), Parekura Lalaga (Norths, Wellington) and Loni Fisiihoi (Rotoiti, Rotorua).

Fisiihoi is the brother of former Coast and now Chiefs prop Ziggy.

“These are players we want to have a look at before making any decisions on loan players,’ Ensor said. “We’ve had good reports about Parekura, who is a No.8.”

Also in the squad is Tevita Ahoafi, who played two games at halfback for Tonga in 2007.

“Tevita’s playing for TVC and he’ll be there to put pressure on Sam,” Ensor said.