Ngarimu names 47

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

POVERTY Bay Heartland rugby coach Mutu Ngarimu has named a 47-man squad to prepare for the Queen’s Birthday clash with Ngati Porou East Coast in Ruatoria.

“It’s a large squad but we’ve had injuries and we want to see how players perform and train leading up to this match,” said Ngarimu, who has rewarded the 22 players who fronted for the game against New Zealand Universities in Gisborne on Monday night.

“Overall I was impressed and heartened by the performnace on Monday, especially from guys who might not otherwise have played but for injuries and a suspension.

“Some of the players named in this squad are still carrying injuries but I hope that between now and the Coast game they’ll be available for selection.”

Club form would also be monitored closely before the 22-man matchday squad was named, Ngarimu said.

All the players named in the wider squad needed to attend training at Rugby Park at 6pm on Wednesday, said Ngarimu, who watched the Ngatapa-Pirates premier game at Rugby Park last night.

“Players who are unavailable need to contact manager Steve Smith or me. Even after we cut the squad to 22, I want players to keep their heads up. The door is always open for someone to show me, by their club form, that they deserve another look.”

Poverty Bay squad: Russell Burns, Jody Tuhaka, Campbell Chrisp, Geoff Pari, Hamish Forrester, Shayde Skudder, Matekairoa McGuire, Lance Dickson, Sione Ngatu, Jamie Barnett, Murray Hewson, Les Hills, Willis Tamatea, Simone Akurangi, Siosiua Moala, Ken Houkamau, James Grogan, Manu Kiteau, Koro Miringaorangi, Mario Counsell, George Halley, Sione Tamale, Willie Grogan, Jake Holmes, James Warren, TK Moeke, Devonte Martin, Aayden Matenga, Anthony Karauria, Karl Macpherson, Ethine Reeves, Te Peehi Fairlie, Tyronne White, Manase Tupe, Paddy Allen, Semisi Akana, Hayden Stuart, Corey Reihana, Jacob Cook, Scott McKinley, Cameron Rowden, Jordan Matenga, Tipuna Jones, Tapu Dixon, Jesse Fleming, Rawiri Marshall and Carl Riini.