Major coup on imports

PACKING DOWN: Kurt Simmonds (left), Hamish Forrester and Matt Kawana are three front rowers included in the 2015 Heartland championship squad. PHOTO/CHRIS KILFORD

IN WHAT has to be seen as a major coup, three of the leading figures in the Grammar TEC side who won Auckland's premier rugby trophy, the Gallaher Shield, in late July will be turning out for Wairarapa-Bush in the 2015 Heartland championship.

Andrew Makalio, So'otala Fa'aso'o and Viliami Hala make up an impressive trio of "import" players who are expected to have their first hit-outs for Wairarapa-Bush in their Jeremy David Memorial Trophy fixture with Poverty Bay in Gisborne this Saturday.

Hooker Makalio was named player of the match in Grammar TEC's 39-14 Gallaher Shield final win over University with coach Joe Snee saying the award was well deserved. "He's been outstanding all year. It's fitting he got that in the final."

Makalio, who was Grammar TEC's Player of the Year in 2014, has played for Auckland B, Auckland under-20s and Auckland under-18s, and he was coached in the latter two sides by current Wairarapa-Bush head coach Josh Syms, who also rates him highly.

"He's mobile and can cover all three spots in the front row, which is a huge bonus for us because we do lack depth there," Syms said.

Fa'aso'o, a No 8 who stands 1.95m and weighs around 117kg, was contracted to the Manawatu Turbos for their ITM Cup campaign last season and has also had a couple of appearances for Auckland at that level. He played for the Samoan under-20s at the IRB Junior World Championships in Auckland and has also been a triallist for New Zealand in that age group. Fa'aso'o was captain of the New Zealand secondary schools side in 2012.

Hala is a versatile back. He usually plays in the midfield but will also provide cover for first-five, wing and fullback. He has played for Auckland Colts and Auckland Schools and has been part of that province's sevens line-up.

Syms said the idea was to have the three "imports" resident in the Wairarapa area over the Heartland campaign so that the preparation for those games would not be disrupted by them coming and going.

"All three are serious players who should add a lot to our team. I think their records speak for themselves."

All told the Heartland squad numbers 27 players with more than half of them about to make their debut in the championship.

For some coaches that could be a frightening statistic but Syms sees it as an "exciting challenge" which he is keen to embrace.

"No one says it's going to be easy but there is good potential there and, hopefully, we can make the most of it."

Syms said a couple of the Heartland squad members, Inia Katia (Gladstone) and Gareth van Dalen (Greytown), had niggly injuries and would not go to Gisborne and Pioneer flanker Rima Marurai was being rested.

He also confirmed the captaincy for the Heartland campaign was still to be resolved with Greytown prop Kurt Simmonds and first-five Tim Priest the leading contenders.

The Wairarapa-Bush squad for Saturday's match is: Backs: Cody Whittaker, Tim Priest, Paul Tikomainavalu, Viliame Hala, Andy Humberstone, Nick Olson, Tipene Haira, Cameron Hayton, Matt Dalley, Joseph Sio, Nick Robertson. Forwards: Kurt Simmonds, Andrew Makalio, Matt Kawana, Hamish Forrester, Lachie McFadzean, James Goodger, So'otala Fa'aso'o, Chris Raymond, BJ Campbell, Kody Thompson, Jack Hull, Wiremu Grace, Johnie McFadzean, Brock Price.