Poverty Bay Heartland Championship rugby squad named

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

HEAD coach Mana Otai and assistant Dwayne Russell have named the Poverty Bay squad for the 2017 Heartland Rugby Championships.

The squad has its first training tonight in preparation for a pre-season game against Wairarapa Bush on August 12 in Gisborne.

More on the Bay squad in tomorrow’s Herald.

Poverty Bay — Props: Tamanui Hill (HSOB), Sandy Hohipa-Campbell (Waikohu), Sione Ngatu (Ngatapa), Semisi Akana (Nga).

Hookers: Isaiah Leach (Wanderers, player of origin), Matekairoa McGuire (HSOB).

Locks: Everard Reid (Pirates), Jacob Cook (OBM), Riki Waitoa (Pir), Juston Allen (Pir), Simone Akurangi (Pir).

Loose forwards: Leslie Hills (HSOB), William Tamatea (YMP), James Grogan (OBM), Fawn White (YMP), Siosiua Moala (HSOB), Mekepio Brown (YMP), Lynden Manuel (Waik), Viliami Kavai (HSOB).

Halfbacks: William Grogan (OBM), Mario Counsell (Waik).

First fives: Jake Holmes (OBM), Kelvin Smith (Waik).

Midfield: Anthony Karauria (Nga), Jesse Fleming (Waik), Tawhao Stewart (Waik), Pamona Samupo (Pir).

Wingers: Ratu Daurua (Whakatane Marist, loan player), Karl Macpherson (Nga), George Halley (HSOB), Tipuna Jones (YMP), Andrew Tauatevalu (HSOB).

Fullbacks: Ethine Reeves (Waik), Isaia Vuki (Whakatane Marist, loan player), Korey Love (HSOB).