Wairarapa-Bush rugby coaches Graeme Cheetham and Lofty Stevenson have cast their net even wider as they prepare to name a 22-man team to play Manawatu in a non-championship match at Masterton on June 19.
On the back of big losses to a Wellington XV (49-0) and Hawke's Bay (79-0) over the
past month they have added a number of newcomers to their training squad, including prop Shane Temana, who has had just the one game for Eketahuna after playing in Germany.
Cheetham said Temana had a reputation as a strong scrummager who was mobile about the paddock and he was keen to play at representative level here.
Gladstone loose forward Steve Wilkinson has also been brought into the squad after a series of impressive displays at club level and other interesting additions are Pioneer outside back Jordan Fox, Masterton Red Star winger Hemi Tepaeua and East Coast first-five Tapunga Mason.
The halfback stocks have been improved by the decision of old hand James Bruce (Gladstone) to make himself available again as well as the return of the promising Mike Hollis (Greytown-Tuhirangi) while Martinborough winger Greg Wilson remains in the mix after a solid debut against Hawk?s Bay.
Cheetham said he and Stevenson remained intent on giving local players every chance to make the squad which will defend the Heartland title later in the season.
"We really do believe we have the necessary talent here to make up a very competitive side but we also agree that fitness and skills are still a problem in some areas," he said.
