New Zealand Defence Forces won't be at full strength for their rugby match with Wairarapa-Bush at Memorial Park, Masterton, next Tuesday, and they will be behind the eight ball in preparation as well. Coach Darren Horsley yesterday labelled his line-up as an invitation XV because several of his key players fromthe army, navy and air force are unavailable because of prior commitments. And he said his team would be having their first training run at Ohakea only the day before the match. "Logistically we can't get everybody together until then so it's not ideal," Horsley said. "But being a one-off game we can't do things any other way, we just have to make the best of what we've got and get on with it." At the same time, however, Horsley is still optimistic of putting together a side which will compete well in what will their first appearance since they beat Samoa, Papua New-Guinea and their own academy team on their way to winning the Pacific Military Cup in Upper Hutt last year & and their first game against a Heartland championship side since 1986. "We're certainly aiming to be competitive, we're not coming to Masterton for a holiday," Horsley said. Three of the backs who are already confirmed starters for the invitation XV have proven pedigrees at representative level. First-five Lloyd Carter and centre Jamie Makara have both moved north from Burnham in Canterbury to join Manawatu's extended Air NZ Cup squad while fullback-cum-wing Bryce Hesselin was a star player for Horowhenua-Kapiti in the Heartland championship last season. Halfback Paul Davis was named as New Zealand Defence Forces Sportsman of the Year for 2008, having been part of their academy rugby side and also representing his country at touch. In the forwards openside flanker Josh White was another to play for Horowhenua-Kapiti's Heartland team last year and he is expected to be joined by a group of players who are playing premier division club rugby in the Auckland area.
