New faces in PB sevens team

YOUNG TALENT: Andrew Tauatevalu is among the rising talents in the Poverty Bay sevens team to play at a tournament in Cambridge tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

Poverty Bay sevens coach Dwayne Russell has called in a transfer player and a loan player for the Provincial Union Cup sevens tournament in the Waikato tomorrow.

Oka Sanerivi played his rugby in Waikato but has transferred here for work,” said Russell, who is taking an 11-man squad to Cambridge.

“Josh also plays in Waikato so he’s classed as a loan player.

“Oka can play at halfback, at inside or outside back and he’s got the goods.

“Josh is a quick young fullback/winger, who will be our link man or playmaker.”

Russell said this tournament would act as a trial for the squad to go to the regional sevens in December.

“We’re keen to reward the loyal trainers, which is reflected in the squad, and good performances.

“We’ve got some good young talented sevens players here including Andrew Tauatevalu, Austin Brown and a young fella Luka Peta, who at one point was looking at making a career as a skateboarder.

“He’s signed with HSOB and has natural rugby instincts, and plenty of attacking flair.”

“We’ve also got experience and strength in Siosiua Moala, who had an outstanding season with the Poverty Bay Heartland team.”

Russell said it was going to be a long day of travel and then playing from 10.30am until late in the afternoon.

“But if we want to get better we have to be prepared to travel outside the district and play against top teams.”

The Bay start the tournament against Taranaki, followed by matches against Waikato Red, Bay of Plenty and Auckland before the playoffs.

Poverty Bay squad: Siosiua Moala, Viliami Kavai, Korey Love, Oka Sanerivi, Austin Brown, Andrew Tauatevalu, Jale Tiko, Ash Edwards, Luka Peta, Taina Ngatai, Josh Young (Waikato).