SHANE HURNDELL
Former Hurricane Richard Jarman (right) is one of four players chasing the halfback berth in the Hawke's Bay Magpies NPC rugby squad.
Kelt Capital Magpies coach Brendon Ratcliffe said the halfback position was the most evenly contested in the buildup to next month's naming of the NPC squad.
"It's so even we've named four in our squad to prepare for our next pre-NPC clash against Taranaki in Hawera," Ratcliffe said when announcing the 32-strong squad for the June 22 match yesterday.
Jarman is joined by his Havelock North clubmate Chris Eaton, Central's Richard Bousfield and last season's incumbent Chad Shepherd of Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports. Havelock's midfield general Davis Norman has been selected despite not having played for the past six weeks.
His clubmate Tivaini Fomai is unavailable as he will be out of action for six to 10 weeks with a leg injury received in Monday's game against Wellington. Ratcliffe said the fact Fomai played on for another seven minutes with the injury indicated how courageous he was and how keen Fomai was to play for the Magpies.
Experienced Clive prop Orcades Crawford is unavailable as he wants to focus on club rugby at this stage of the season. Unavailable through injuries are Taradale No 8 Mutu Ngarimu and Napier Old Boys' Marist loose forward Glen Varcoe. Hastings Rugby and Sports loosie Tafai Ioasa and Taradale first five-eighth Daniel Waenga are unavailable because of their respective New Zealand Sevens and New Zealand under-21 commitments.
The Queensland Red have withdrawn from their match against the Magpies which was to be played next month and Ratcliffe said further pre-NPC games were being arranged for after the Taranaki match.
* The squad to meet at the Napier Onekawa Aquatic Centre at 9am tomorrow for a recovery session is: James Rosenberg, Donovan Nepia, Karl Mudzamba, Migao Lauano, Jacob Kennedy, Davis Norman, Hayden Lafaele, Ray Karauria, Paul Bailey, Eddie Hekenui, Aayden Clarke, Chris Eaton, Richard Bousfield, Chad Shepherd, Richard Jarman, Wirihana Raihania, Pama Petia, Adam Bradey, Anare Koliavu, Karl Lowe, Nui Bartlett, Tal Wiezman, Lua Lokotui, Leif Johansson, Bryn Evans, Danny Logan, Johnny Galo, Hika Elliot, Sona Tafuna, Tom Symes, Clint Newland, Ian Baty.
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