Rugby: Saracens spot lifts fullback's hopes

Nick Biss has placed a huge tick by all but one of his rugby goals he scrawled down at the start of the season.

"One of those early Ranfurly Shield defences for the Magpies is the main one and Wednesday night is the big opportunity to stake a claim," Taradale fullback Biss said after being named in the Hawke's Bay Saracens starting XV to take on the Manawatu Evergreens in Waipukurau.

The match doubles as the final trial before Magpies head coach Craig Philpott and his assistant Danny Lee name their side to take on Wairarapa Bush in the season's first shield game at McLean Park on July 9.

Biss, 19, who has played for the Hurricanes development and under-20 teams already this season, got the call despite playing just 65 minutes of club rugby in the last four weeks. All 65 were registered last weekend after he returned from a dislocated shoulder injury.

"I was a little bit hesitant because originally I was going to come off the bench. But there were a couple of injuries among our outside backs so I started ... I didn't have any problems with the shoulder," Biss explained.

The former Hawke's Bay under-19, 18 and 16 rep attributed a three-week International Rugby Academy of New Zealand course he completed in Palmerston North in February as a key factor in his success to date this season.

"I got a lot of confidence after getting good feedback from former Magpies coach Peter Russell and former All Black Eroni Clarke.

"They told me to keep backing my ability and to use my footwork and evasion skills to beat an opponent," Biss said.

Before the St John's College old boy can focus fully on Wednesday night's game he has a third round Maddison Trophy encounter against Napier Technical tomorrow to get through. Biss hopes to complete 70 minutes of that clash.

"After that it's reset and re-focus time. I can either make it or break it against the Evergreens ... I want to make the most of the opportunity," he added.

Philpott has named a squad of 27 for Wednesday night's match, which means he will have cover should injuries occur in club rugby tomorrow. Philpott and Lee will make several changes at halftime and then again midway through the second half.

"We have a couple of aims. We want to see how well our players can handle some new attacking structures we want to introduce this season and we want to see how many of them can put their hand up to go up to the next level," Philpott said.

Former All Black Sevens rep Trinity Spooner-Neera has a leg injury and if he is forced to withdraw Napier Old Boys Marist outside back Liam Edwards will replace him on the subs bench.

Expect Biss' Carters Frame and Truss Taradale side to beat Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical by six at Whitmore Park tomorrow, Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports to beat Northfuels Central by 13 at Elwood Park, Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports to beat Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist by eight at Park Island, Progressive Meats Havelock North to beat MAC by seven at Anderson Park and K9 Petfoods Clive to account for Tamatea by 11 at Farndon Park.

-Saracens: Nick Biss, Mason Emerson, Jonah Lowe, Billy Ropiha, Penikolo Latu, J'ndre Liebenberg, Ellery Wilson, Kaleb Sweet, Tom Stanley, Tony Lamborn (captain), Sanaila Waqa, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Mark Braidwood, Jorian Tangaere, Jason Long.

Substitutes, forwards: Mason Kean, Tolu Fahamokioa, Jarvy Aoake, Ben Parsons, Everard Reid, Ben Hamelink, Joseph Penitito.

Backs: Jonathan Ruru, Tianua Poto, Ted Walters, Shannan Chase, Trinity Spooner-Neera/Liam Edwards.