NEW TEXAN: Luke McKenna is back in the Bay and eyeing a berth in the Hawke's Bay Magpies Mitre 10 Cup squad. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
It's just as well Hawke's Bay Academy rugby team flanker Luke McKenna has position specifics to focus on in the countdown to today's game against Manawatu Academy in Waipukurau.
McKenna, 21, will be able to use that info to shut out any flashbacks to the corresponding game in 2014. He slipped a disc and the injury ended his season as it required surgery.
"The two games I had for the Hawke's Bay Academy team were the only two I had that year. But I got two seasons under my belt in Canterbury after that and the body is all good now," McKenna said.
Former New Zealand under-17 squad member McKenna returned to the Bay four months ago after playing for Lincoln with the aim of securing a berth in the Magpies Mitre 10 Cup squad.
"I had a chat with Craig Philpott the other day. He told me Tony Lamborn is the only contracted No 7 but No 8 Fa'alemiga Selesele could also be used as a No 7. This is likely to leave me and Ben Hamelink battling for the other spot," McKenna said referring to Lamborn's 2016 deputy.
"I just have to work hard and keep learning."
A Napier Boys' High School product, McKenna, has linked up with the Napier Technical club and works for Aaron Dodd Builders. His first taste of the limelight came in 2008 when he was named Ross Shield player of the tournament after playing for Wairoa in Waipukurau.
In 2011 McKenna played for the Hawke's Bay under-16 team which finished second at their Hurricanes tournament in New Plymouth. Outside back Nick Biss is the only other member of that side who will play for the Hawke's Bay Academy team today.
Three of their Hawke's Bay teammates that season, Mason Emerson, Jonah Lowe and Sam McNicol, have already been selected for the Magpies. Today's game will give McKenna, an inaugural recipient of a Rob Guildford Memorial Trust grant in 2011, an indication of how close he is to becoming the next.
Nine members of the Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV which finished second in the National Top Four comp last year will be in action for the Bay today.
They are frontrowers Kianu Kereru-Symes and Jacob Devery, lock-loosie Tane Hohipa, loosie Jeriah Mua, halfback Folau Fakatava, first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie, wingers Kini Naholo and Trent Hape and centre Danny Toala.
Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union's player development manager Joe Payton described this month as "position specific month" for players in his academy squad. Part of this process involves position specific coaching rather than team tactics talks during the intervals in games.
"We talk abot some of the things they can improve upon which is related to their positions. This feedback can be taken back to their club's or 1st XVs."
When the Hawke's Bay Academy team beat an IRANZ selection in Palmerston North a fortnight ago former Magpies and Highlanders loosie Grant Webb and Hurricanes Development team coach Darren Larsen assisted with this.
Today, Hawke's Bay Rugby Development officer Jarvy Aoake will be tutoring the props, Larsen the hookers, Hawke's Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust's health and sport development manager Marcus Agnew the locks, Payton the flankers, former Magpies captain Mutu Ngarimu the No 8s, former Hurricanes halfback Chris Eaton the No 9s, former Magpies inside back Dan Waenga the first five-eighths, former Magpies captain Jason Shoemark the midfielders and former Magpies outside back Jacob Kennedy the wings and fullback.
HB teams for the 2pm match which will be played in three 30-minute thirds:
Team One: Nick Biss, Al Momoisea, Danny Toala, Mitch Drew, Kini Naholo, Paul Bickle, Zac Donaldson, Hannon Brighouse, Luke McKenna, Ricky Hayes, Tyler Symon-Burke, Josh Bokser, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Jacob Devery, Tim Farrell.
Team Two: Al Momoisea, Nick Biss, Danny Toala, Mitche Drew, Trent Hape, Lincoln McClutchie, Folau Fakatava, Devan Flanders, Will Tremain, Josh Bokser, Tyler Symon-Burke, Tane Hohipa, Josiah Tavita, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Tim Farrell.
Team Three: Thomas Agnew, Nick Biss, Al Momoisea, Mitch Drew, Trent Hape, Lincoln McClutchie, Angus Kilmister, TBC, Jeriah Mua, Tane Hohipa, Hannon Brighouse, Josh Bokser, Josiah Tavita, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Cameron Huata.