Rugby
It is an indication of the keen competition for most positions that the 23-strong Wairarapa-Bush rugby squad announced to contest the 2013 Heartland championship is as notable for the names which are not there as those that are.
All but one of the 10 clubs who played at premier division club level this season are represented, the exception being Pioneer who got through to the Tui Cup semifinals.
In halfback Joseph Thompson, wing Damian Kamo-Paku, flanker Rimataei Mururai and versatile skipper Nathan Rolls they had at least four players who must have gone close to getting the nod.
Interestingly, the other beaten semifinalists, East Coast, have the biggest representation.
Their six players include new caps to the Heartland squad in lock Clark Butcher and utility forward Wiremu Grace, but their hard-working skipper, loosie Joe Feast, has been overlooked.
Tui Cup and Chris Kapene Cup champions Greytown might have anticipated having more than three of their successful side selected.
A blockbusting effort from No8 cum lock Nathan Iro in Saturday's grand final win over Eketahuna has seen him given the chance to shine at a higher level, with first-five Glen Walters and midfielder Tapaga Isaac.
No room has, however, been found for in-form loosies Kahn Fruean Walker and Rihi Brown, impressive centre Teihana Brown and speedy winger Tavita Isaac. Carterton's Paul Tikomainavalu will be making his debut for Wairarapa-Bush in Heartland games after impressing in midfield for Poverty Bay last year, and of the three imports from the Old Boys University club, Wellington, prop Jonathan Fuimaono and second-five Titapu Pairama-Lewington played in 2012. The newcomer is hooker Finnbarr Kerr-Newell.
The full Wairarapa-Bush squad is:
Forwards: Jonathan Fuimaono (Old Boys University), Finnbarr Kerr-Newell (Old Boys University), Campbell Lawrence (Bush Sports), Ben Pereira (East Coast), Richard Puddy (Gladstone), Jamie Hunt (Bush Sports), Lachie McFadzean (Carterton), Clark Butcher (East Coast), Wiremu Grace (East Coast), Nathan Iro (Greytown), James Goodger (Marist), Johan Van Vliet (Eketahuna), Johnnie McFadzean (Carterton).
Backs: Zeb Aporo (East Coast), Inia Katia (Gladstone), Glen Walters (Greytown), Byron Karaitiana (East Coast), Tapaga Isaac (Greytown), Titapu Pairama-Lewington (Old Boys University), Paul Tikomainavalu (Carterton), Cameron Hayton (Gladstone), Nathan Hunt (Martinborough), Nick Olson (East Coast).
Head coach is Mark Rutene, with Paddy Gough assistant coach. Gavin Hodder is manager, Stacey Grant trainer and Louise O'Reilly physio.