‘Up for the challenge’: Jones

This season's new Jerseys: Left, Tūranga Tāne's Ihaia Kerr and right, Tūranga Wāhine's Talon August showing the design of the back of their jerseys and Wekas' Mitchell Purvis modelling the ‘home' strip for the season.Picture by Paul Rickard

A THREE-team Poverty Bay contingent are making their way to King Country territory today.

The Tūranga Tāne and Tūranga Wāhine squads will join the Poverty Bay Wekas Heartland team in Te Kuiti.

This is the first time since 2002 that Poverty Bay women's and men's squads have travelled to the same place for respective fixtures.

Tūranga Tāne head coach Doug Jones says it is a great opportunity for players to showcase their skills.

“We are feeling really good,” he said. “We have some quality players and talent.”

And motivating that quality is the chance to advance to the Heartland squad.

“We have a captain's run tomorrow where we will be getting some help from Richard Watt.”

Watt is a former assistant coach with the Hurricanes and current assistant coach with the Bay of Plenty Steamers.

“He is coming down to do a session with the boys. It is a good opportunity to expose them to this level of coach.”

As part of its centenary celebrations, King Country Rugby Football Union are hosting the games in Te Kuiti rather than their home Taupō venue.

“They're making it difficult going (all the way) to Te Kuiti.” Jones said. “It is a big occasion, celebrating their 100th year, but we will be up for the challenge.”

The Tūranga Wāhine women's squad are also feeling positive.

Wairoa man Lenny Ferris, who is co-coaching the side with Wekas Heartland squad member Mitch Purvis, says the team have come together well.

“We had pre-season games against Eastern Bay of Plenty and the Hawke's Bay development squad. We drew (5-all) with Hawke's Bay but cut the game short because of an injury (broken ankle) to one of our players 15 minutes into the second half .”

The women lost to Eastern Bay of Plenty in a closely contested game.

Ferris said trainings have been ramping up over the past three weeks and commitment was at an all-time high.

The squad comprise players from Wairoa/Tapuwae to Gisborne to the East Coast.

“We have a good balance in the team — bringing together three different ‘teams'.”

The Tūranga men and women will play at the same time in Te Kuiti tomorrow (kick-off 12.30pm).

TŪRANGA MEN: Ihaia Kerr, Ngahiwi Manuel (captain), Mango Halafonu, Harawira Kahukura, Jordan Kingi, Hickson Raroa, Seth Lundon, Paora Mullany, Jordan Christie, Rana Hubbard, Jairos Brooking-McClutchie, Solomoni Rasari, Nashwen Mouton,KC Wilson, Bryan Howard.

Reserves: Campbell Chrisp, Hayze Nepia, Liam Ngerengere, Shayanne Wylie, Von Huata, Isaiah Lemua, Ethine Reeves.

TŪRANGA WĀHINE: Moriana West-Grace, Sharn Down, Paku Hiko, Chardonnay Brown, Amy Outwin, Sheldyn Campbell, Cheyenne Babbington-Ngerengere, Jaye Nepia (c), Talon August, Princess Tomoana, Amoe Wharehinga, Amanda Reynolds, Nikita Wharehinga, Jordan Hawaikirangi-Pere Tibble, Southern Rose Fraser. Reserves: Joneete Karaka, Laine Tangaere, Billie Delamere, Kirby Scammell, Diane Moeke, Aprilia Huata.