Lewis reshuffled to halfback

Marist will field a new-look inside back combination during their Wairarapa-Bush senior first division campaign this season, with two of the province's most promising midfielders moving into those roles.
Shannon Lewis, who has proved something of a try scoring machine at wing or fullback in the past two seasons, has gone to halfback, while outside him at first-five will be Daniel Blong, the New Zealand Marist colt, who has been a regular standout with his penetrative running in midfield.
Blong, in particular, has big boots to fill, as he is taking over at first-five from Nathan Couch, the long-time Wairarapa-Bush rep who was player-coach for Marist in 2010. Their fortunes this year are being guided by another former Wairarapa-Bush player in Deon Mitchell alongside Jack Waru.
Perhaps the most interesting face in what should be a powerful Marist pack will be Kerry Hargood, the big lock who is on the comeback trail after being off the scene for some seasons. He has played often for his province in the past and will give Marist a powerful lineout, with Corey Reid and James Goodger also proven performers in that department.
Cameron Waru, Ben Couch, Rhys Severn, Corey Miller and Joe Nuku are other forwards sure to make an impact for the green-and-whites, while the hard-running Phil Aporo is capable of filling practically any position in the backs.
Eketahuna also have a new coach this season, with John Gavin taking over from Graeme Cheetham. The only Bush-based side in the premier league should be a handful up front where the likes of Wairarapa-Bush locks Brandan Young and Daniel Griffin, hardened front rowers Campbell Lawrence and Brendan Walker and lively loosies Rupeni Temani and Luke Mahoney will ply their trade but there are still some holes to fill in the backs leading into the opening round of first division games this Saturday.
Astute first-five Crete Cribb has transferred his allegiances to rugby league in Manawatu and utility Grant Creman has also moved away. But helping ease the pressure there is the acquisition of Joe Hull, who will be at halfback, and the return of midfielder Mata Matatini.
East Coast, on the other hand, have backline talent to burn. Gaining the services of big-kicking Red Star utility back Byron Karaitiana is an obvious plus and other high flyers in the rearguard include Nic Olson, Zeb Aporo and Jesse McGillvary, all of whom have worn the Wairarapa-Bush jersey in recent times. Prominent players in the pack are likely to be Joe Feast, TK Karaitiana, Walter Williams, Karim Brown and Zandy Wallace. Former All Black halfback Mark Donaldson is back for his second year as East Coast coach.
The first division draw for Saturday: East Coast v Pioneer at Whareama, Greytown v Carterton at Greytown, Martinborough v Eketahuna at Martinborough, Masterton Red Star v Marist at Memorial Park, Puketoi v Gladstone at Pongaroa, Featherston a bye.