The home rugby season for 2009 has been extended for Wairarapa-Bush fans. News was received yesterday that a match featuring the national Heartland championship side against a New Zealand Marist XV will be played at Memorial Park, Masterton on Saturday, November 14. The Heartland side will be selected from the 12 teamswho competed in that competition this season and will be named at the conclusion of this weekend's Meads Cup final between Mid-Canterbury and Wanganui. It is being played in Christchurch because of Mid-Canterbury's home ground in Ashburton being the venue of an A and P Show. It is probable that the New Zealand Marist XV will also be named over the weekend. It will be chosen from the 28 Marist clubs operating throughout the country. Whether any Wairarapa-Bush players will be selected in either of the teams is difficult to say with any certainty. Had No.8 Duncan Law not been on the injured list he would had to have been a front runner for the Heartland side while fullback Nick Olson, first-five Byron Karaitiana and prop Kurt Simmonds have to be strong possibilities as well.The fact he was registered as a "loan player" probably rules out star flanker Joss Tua-Davidson. Utility forward Corey Reid, who was a regular in the Wairarapa-Bush Heartland squad, would have to be a leading contender for the New Zealand Marist XV with promising halfback Api Matenga also having serious claims. Meantime, it seems that the small northern Wairarapa township of Mangatainoka is in line to host one of the Hurricanes Super 14 pre-season matches early next year, possibly against the Brumbies. It is understood Tui Breweries, which are based in Mangatainoka, would be closely associated with the promotion of the match which would be the first of its kind to be held away from Wairarapa-Bush rugby headquarters, Memorial Park.
