Twelve rugby players who have yet to wear Poverty Bay’s colours have been named in a wider training squad preparing for a highly anticipated clash with Ngati Porou East Coast.
Poverty Bay Heartland coach Tom Cairns has selected 34 players, with another four invited to training sessions, and the squad will be narrowed down as their Queen’s Birthday Weekend assignment looms.
“We will refine that group to a game-day squad as we lead into the East Coast game and are glad to offer the opportunity for all the players listed to put their hand up for selection,” Cairns said.
“It’s a big squad. We were excited about the buy-in from players and club coaches in the Gisborne Herald Town versus PGG Wrightson Country game and we want to work with as many of those players as we can.”
Country defeated Town 26-21 at MoreFM Rugby Park in Gisborne on Saturday in a match that served as a trial for Poverty Bay.
Cairns has yet to name a captain and will appoint one after talking to senior players.
“Five or six could fill that position,” he said.
Last year’s captain, Tamanui Hill, has been included among the loose forwards.
Cairns went with an even 17/17 split between forwards and backs.
With YMP’s backs lighting up the club scene this year, they are well represented in the squad.
Wings Nathan Rangihuna and Jayden Milner join Whaimotu Craft-Chemis, Te Peehi Fairlie, Quinnton Pari-Collins and Reihana Wyllie in a dynamic group of backs.
OBM second five-eighth Mark Atkins — a good ball carrier and backline organiser — made the cut, along with Caleb Lewis, from Waikohu, and High School Old Boys outside backs Will Hocquard and Korey Love.
The selectors opted for four halfbacks. Poverty Bay Heartland attack coach Miah Nikora, who coached Country to their win on Saturday, said they all offered something different.
“Willy Grogan and Jacob Leaf are both combative and Quinnton Pari-Collins and Mario Counsell can play at high tempo.
“Willy and Mario have both played regularly for the Bay and Jacob and Quinny offer a look at the future. I’m looking forward to working with these players and the rest of the squad.”
OBM’s Jake Holmes and Waikohu backs Kelvin Smith and Ethine Reeves join Wyllie as options at first five-eighth.
Reeves has been playing at fullback but his kicking game might be valuable at first-five, and veteran Wyllie’s silky skills and running game mean he could provide cover for the midfield.
HSOB fullback Andrew Tauatevalu has stood out in club rugby and is dangerous on counter-attacks or when presented with half a chance to exploit a gap. He can also play wing.
Cairns said the loose forwards were an area of depth and “some experienced and quality players have missed out in this instance”.
Pirates-GMC captain Ken Houkamau and club teammate Willy Bolingford made the cut.
OBM provided the squad with seven forwards — Lance Dickson, Rikki Terekia, Joe Mason, Juston Allen, Jacob Cook, Adrian Wyrill and Gabe Te Kani.
Te Kani and YMP’s Jesse Kapene had a good battle at No.8 on Saturday and both have been picked.
Ngatapa lock Scott Brodie, who had a strong game for Country, forced his way into the squad.
The other forwards are Hill and hooker Matekairoa McGuire, both from HSOB, YMP hooker Shayde Skudder, YMP flanker Fawn White, and props Semisi Akana (Ngatapa) and Toru Noanoa (Waikohu).
“We have picked on form and the players’ ability to fill the roles we need of them,” Cairns said.
“The door is not shut on anybody.”
First-fives Matt Raleigh (Ngatapa) and Baxter Mackay (HSOB) and giant props Jarryd Broughton (Waikohu) and Myles Tawa (HSOB) have been invited to train with the squad.
Ngatapa prop Campbell Chrisp, winner of the 2018 Tiny White Medal for his Round 1 performance, was not considered because of injury.
Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union chief executive Josh Willoughby said the squad’s depth was exciting and the selection of 12 players yet to wear the scarlet jersey showed the union’s commitment to developing local players.
“We made a commitment to our rugby community that we would focus our attention on local rugby development and the Queen’s Birthday game offers a great opportunity — so it’s pleasing to see so many new names on the sheet,” Willoughby said.
“I congratulate those selected in the squad but also extend my gratitude to all our club players for the fantastic season so far.
“There’s still plenty of time for those not selected to put their hands up.
“I also want to acknowledge the service of some experienced players who are not on the list this time.”
Included in the squad are 10 players from OBM, nine from YMP, five each from HSOB and Waikohu, three from Pirates-GMC and two from Ngatapa.