A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
FOUR new caps have been named in the Poverty Bay squad to contest the 2022 Heartland Championship, who start their preparation with a Ranfurly Shield clash against Hawke's Bay on Saturday.
Four Poverty Bay squads were named by Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union after Saturday's premier club rugby final — the Heartland squad, Tūranga Tāne, Tūranga Wāhine and Poverty Bay under-20s.
Heartland squad head coach Miah Nikora was forced to make some changes after the announcement on Facebook. A couple of players were unavailable, meaning call-ups from the Tūranga Tāne team — a feeder side to the Heartland team.
Powerhouse Waikohu prop Jarryd Broughton was named in the side but suffered a broken collar bone in the club final and is out for three months.
The squad's new caps are Waikohu utility back Ruan du Plooy, Wairoa Athletic lock Adriaan Brits, OBM fullback Braedyn Grant and YMP first five Mitchell Purvis.
The Bay kick off their season in memorable style on Saturday with a Ranfurly Shield match against Hawke's Bay at McLean Park in Napier.
They then have a pre-season home game against Hawke's Bay Saracens on August 13.
They start the Heartland Championship with an away clash against King Country on August 20.
Tūranga Māna Wāhine, who have already had games against Tapuwae and Eastern Bay of Plenty this year, will be under the Poverty Bay banner and have five matches, including three at home — the first of those against Hawke's Bay Development on Sunday.
Tūranga Tāne squad have five fixtures on the books, starting on August 20 when they travel away with the Heartland squad to take on King Country B.
The PB under-20 are a 26-strong squad with another six players in their extended training squad.
Their season fixtures have not been confirmed but it is understood they will have three matches with the first this weekend in Napier against Hawke's Bay.
Poverty Bay Heartland squad — Forwards: Adriaan Brits* (Wairoa Athletic), James Higgins (Ngatapa), Tamanui Hill (HSOB), Tulsa Kaui (Waikohu), Nikau Lauti (YMP), Dan Law (Ngatapa), Toru Noanoa (Waikohu), Fletcher Scammell (HSOB), Shayde Skudder (YMP), Keanu Taumata, (OBM), Rikki Terekia (OBM), George Whakatope (OBM), Adrian Wyrill (Waikohu). Backs: Moses Christie (Waikohu), Mario Counsell (Waikohu), Ruan du Plooy* (Waikohu), Te Peehi Fairlie (YMP), Braedyn Grant* (OBM), Tione Hubbard (Waikohu), Jacob Leaf (Waikohu), Ricardo Patricio (Ngatapa), Mitchell Purvis* (YMP), Matt Raleigh (Ngatapa), Kelvin Smith (Waikohu), Andrew Tauatevalu (YMP), Ted Walters (Player of Origin).
Tūranga Tāne squad — Forwards: Zane Boyle (HSOB), Campbell Chrisp (Ngatapa), Lance Dickson (OBM), Mango Halafonua (Pirates), Kyah Hollis (Pirates - U20), Sam Hudson (Ngatapa), Harawera Kahukura (OBM), Ihaia Kerr (Ngatapa), Isaiah Leach (YMP), Kupu Lloyd (Waikohu), Seth Lundon (YMP), Ngahiwi Manuel (OBM), Peryhn Martin-Barber (Waikohu), Tristen Morten (Waikohu), Paroa Mullany (Pirates), Bernard Nepe (Pirates), Salesi Niuvao (HSOB), Geoffrey Pari (Waikohu), Hickson Raroa (Nuhaka), Ollie Rhodes (Wairoa Athletic), James Rutene (Waikohu), Kauri Waitoa (Pirates - U20).
Backs: Genesis Bartlett-Tamatea (YMP), Austin Brown (OBM), Campbell Hall (OBM), Cruz Hinaki (OBM), Brian Howard (HSOB - U20), Von Huata (HSOB 0 U20), Rana Hubbard (Waikohu), Henry-Troy Kepa (Pirates - U20), Isaiah Lemaua (HSOB - U20), Nash Mouten (Ngatapa - U20), Solomoni Rasari (Pirates), Matt Rutene (YMP), Matt Snelling (Ngatapa), Tom Stewart (Ngatapa), Leroy Taiapa (OBM), Sean Taylor (Wairoa Athletic), Blayze Waiari-Taylor (Nuhaka), KC Wilson (Waikohu).
Tūranga Wāhine squad — Forwards: Amy Outwin, Jonette Karaka, Sharn Down, Tara Carroll, Jaye Nepia, Diane Moeke, Paku Hiko, Kirby Scammell, Sheldyn Campbell, Sisi Latu-Fine, Reremoana Bartlett-Tamatea, Moriana West-Grace, Sensamelia Hina, Chardonnay Brown, Cheyenne Babbington-Ngerengere.
Backs: Amanda Reynolds, Nikita Wharehinga, Princess Tomoana, Trish Hina, Jade Stacey, Aprilia Huata, Amoe Tarsau, Maia Rickard, Talon August, Southern Rose Fraser, Jordan Hawaikirangi-Pere Tibble.
Poverty Bay under-20s: Lyric Baty-Akurangi (Pirates), Silas Brown (YMP), Jordan Christie (Waikohu), Tupousau Haupeakui (Pirates), Tom Heavey (Ngatapa), Kyah Hollis (Pirates), Bryan Howard (HSOB), Von Huata (HSOB), Henry Kepa (Pirates), Isaiah Lemaua (HSOB), Viliami Mosa'ati (Pirates), Liam Ngerengere (YMP), Hayze Nepia (YMP), Tane Ruru (Ngatapa), Jacob Storey (Ngatapa), Daniel Tamanui (HSOB), Tylah Taumata (Nuhaka), Daelyn Taumata (YMP), Will Taylor (Wairoa Athletic), Kyoni Te Amo (Tapuae), Tuteari Te Rauna Lamont (YMP), Kayleb Te Whare (YMP), Manaia Tuari (YMP), Kailata Tupa (Ngatapa), George Twigley (Wairoa Athletic), Kauri Waitoa (Pirates). Extended training squad: Kairos Brokking-McClutchie (Pirates), Haeroa King (Ngatapa), Kahu Whaitiri-Te Miha (Pirates), Karauria Whaitiri-Te Miha (Pirates), Koby Wyllie (YMP), Marino Tipiwai-Chambers (Ngatapa).