Stronger by the week,Burghley lead for Sir Mark

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

THE Barry Cup holders grow stronger by the week.

Uawa’s monster pack will be an even bigger unit tomorrow against Ruatoria than they were in the first defence against Waikohu last Sunday.

They have 6ft 4in, 116-kilogram Juston Allen taking Scott Lasenby’s place in the second row to partner Reg Namana.

High School Old Boys’ George Halley comes in at halfback, Chris Richardson moves from halfback to first-five for Tane McGuire, Vllayne Whakataka makes way for Tawhao Stewart on the left wing, Kelvin Smith starts for Drew Hunt at second five-eighth and Kris Palmer is replaced by Storm Moran on the right wing.

The Heartland competition East Coast representatives in both teams are flying back early from Masterton tonight and Uawa head coach Tip Nukunuku, like his Ruatoria counterpart Ian Logan, hopes that those players can steer clear of injury today.

“We’re confident that the team we’ve picked can win,” Nukunuku said.

Logan, who made his Barry Cup debut as a 15-year-old on the right wing for Waiapu at Whakarua Park under 56-test referee Steve Walsh, knows it will be tough going in Tolaga Bay tomorrow.

“Uawa have at least three forwards who make metres every time they get the ball,” he said.

“With their ability to counter-attack, our speed on defence will be crucial. Good players — such as our captain, Paddy Allen — lead from the front, which can have a flow-on effect through the rest of the team. That’s what we’ll need to win the Barry Cup — that little bit extra.”

Ruatoria feature several father-son combinations in their squad — father Graeme and sons Corey and Rhys Walker, father Henare and sons Jayden and Julian Milner, and father Colin and sons Chayse and Shayde Skudder.

Kick-off at Uawa Domain will be at 2.30pm, under Poverty Bay premier-grade referee Les Thomas.

UAWA (1-25): Laman Davies, Moana Nuku, Daniel Knubley, Reggie Namana, Juston Allen, Hayden Pardoe, Rikki Kernohan, Harley Phillips (vice-captain), George Halley, Chris Richardson, Tawhao Stewart, Kelvin Smith, Te Peehi Fairlie, Storm Moran, BJ Sidney (captain). Reserves: Mike Chambers-Raroa, Matekairoa McGuire, Paranihi Houia, Patti Laumape, Ben Parkes, Te Atapo Kirikiri, Drew Hunt, Vllayne Whakataka, Rocky Monika, Jesse Rye.

RUATORIA (1-25): Pera Bishop, Lorne Boyce-Goldsmith, Matt Downey, Callan Whaitiri-White, Tim Barbarich, Chayse Skudder, Paddy Allen (captain), Rhys Walker, CJ Fox-Campbell, Graeme Walker, Cody Ellis, Corey Walker (vice-captain), Nathaniel Fox, Uzziah Parata, Jayden Milner. Reserves: Henare Milner, Colin Skudder, Julian Milner, Shayde Skudder, Karauria Keelan, Puna Manuel, four to be confirmed.