Forwards looking more than handy

STRENGTH: Referee Chris Jefferies looks on as Wairarapa-Bush No8 Tom Fleming holds his feet in a tackle during his team's game against a Manawatu development squad last weekend. PHOTO/CHRIS KILFORD

Two good wins in previous pre-season matches will count for nothing when Wairarapa-Bush confront Poverty Bay in their annual Jeremy David Memorial Trophy match at Memorial Park, Masterton, tomorrow.

While there has been a lot to like about how Wairarapa-Bush have gone about their work beating Horowhenua-Kapiti and the Manawatu development squad, this will be their first assignment of the 2014 season given first-class status and, consequently, the end result will take greater importance.

Not only that, Wairarapa-Bush and Poverty Bay will do battle again in a Heartland championship match - also to be played at Memorial Park - on September 13, so a victory for either side would give them a psychological edge.

With the number of defections among the forwards from last season running into double figures, questions were always going to be asked about the ability of this year's Wairarapa-Bush squad to hold their own up front but there was enough grunt against Horowhenua-Kapiti and Manawatu development to suggest they already have the scope to make a name for themselves.

Certainly the angst being expressed over the absence of gun loosies such as Johan van Vliet, James Goodger and Nathan Iro from last year has been largely silenced through the form shown by newcomers Andrew McWhirter and Rima Marurai and old hands Tom Fleming and Johnie McFadzean.

It's remarkable to think McWhirter was having his first serious game for about six months when he took the field against Manawatu development last weekend. His ability to put himself in the right place at the right time was extraordinary and provided clear evidence his injury woes are behind him.

Pleasing too against Manawatu development was the intensity of the Wairarapa-Bush forward effort in mauls and broken play. They scrapped for ball with a physicality that will be required in game after game if they are to again feature prominently in the premier section of the Heartland championship, the Mead Cup. Individually, it was young Carterton prop Jacko Hull who was the surprise packet when he came off the bench against Manawatu development and he has been justifiably rewarded with a starting spot tomorrow. Another similar effort then and he could well become a permanent fixture in the Heartland squad.

Against the flimsy defence of Horowhenua-Kapiti on Queen's Birthday Weekend, the Wairarapa-Bush backs had a field day, but wintery conditions and the greater soundness of Manawatu in the tackle meant they mainly played second fiddle to their forwards last Saturday. Hopefully, the elements will be kind tomorrow and they can cut loose again.

Providing the initial thrust to their attacking play will be Sam Monaghan and ex-Poverty Bay rep Paul Tikomainavalu and you can anticipate plenty of fireworks too from their back three, Cameron Hayton, Nick Olson and Ben Aoina. The latter was brilliant in the No10 jersey against Manawatu development and now gets the chance to show he can be just as effective at fullback too.

The likely Wairarapa-Bush line-up for tomorrow is: Ben Aoina; Cameron Hayton, Paul Tikomainavalu, Byron Karaitiana, Nick Olson; Sam Monaghan; Zab Aporo; Tom Fleming; Andrew McWhirter, James Wall, Andrew McLean, Rima Marurai; Kurt Simmonds, Richard Puddy, Jacko Hull. Reserves: Adam Johnson, Ollie Terblanche, Sam Marshall-Wilson, Johnie McFadzean, Inia Katia, Robbie Anderson, Michael Te Whare.