Coach Miah Nikora has made several changes in the backline for tomorrow including Mario Counsell starting at halfback.
“He has slowly come back from a hamstring injury from the (premier) club final.
“He understands the way we like to play the game. He brought some good tempo to our game last weekend (off the bench),” Nikora said.
“We have shifted Ruan du Plooy, who started at nine last weekend, to 10 (first-five).”
Du Plooy brings experience, control and general management skills to the pivot position.
“In the midfield, we have pushed Mitch Purvis (from first five) to second-five and Teddy Walters (from second five) to centre.
“They played well there in the game against the Hawke's Bay Saracens — our pre-season game.
“We want to see that combination in action again,” Nikora said.
Wairarapa Bush come with threats, as all teams do, and Nikora is well aware of those.
“From the stuff that we have seen on footage, they're really going to pressure our breakdowns, our rucks and try to disrupt our ball.
“Their scrum is strong. Watching them against North Otago — they're a team that are patient and love a challenge so it's going to be a big game for us.”
The Wekas have a strong forward pack who are physical and are ready for any challenge thrown at them.
They are complemented by a backline with speed and readiness to finish off the forwards' hard work.
The return of Dan Law at lock will provide stability in the forwards while also providing leadership through the team as captain.
They have gone with the same starting front row. Props Toru Noanoa and James Higgins and hooker Shayde Skudder were effective at scrum time and love the physical stuff.
Higgins made some outstanding runs in the King Country game.
Tomorrow is the Wekas' first defence of the Bill Osborne Taonga — the Ranfurly Shield of Heartland rugby.
Also up for grabs is the Jeremy David Memorial Trophy played for between the Wekas and the Bush in honour of the midifield back who played for both provinces but died tragically in 1998.
