New-look Bush side for friendly

Head coach Mark Rutene doesn't quite know what to expect from his Wairarapa-Bush XV in their rugby "friendly" against New Zealand Universities at Memorial Park today.

Preparations have been far from ideal with a number of likely first choice players ruling themselves out for various reasons.

Plans to involve a squad of up to 30 in a match which will be played in four quarters and does not have first-class status have had to be shelved.

In fact, Rutene conceded yesterday he was still busy ensuring a normal-sized squad of 22 would be stripped for the game.

"It's not ideal but then again it's a royal chance for those players who are there to put their hands up for selection later in the season ... they'll all get enough game time to show us what they've got."

Two of the three recruits from the Old Boys University club in Wellington, No8 Taylor Mokate and prop Eric Fry, will play today but a third, midfielder Titapu Pairama-Lewington, was injured on Saturday and won't be on deck.

Pairama-Lewington was expected to start at second-five and the No12 jersey will now be filled by another newcomer in Jim Temoci.

Interestingly, Gladstone have been playing Temoci as a loose forward on the club scene, but he is experienced in midfield and Rutene is keen to assess his talents in that role.

Mokate and Fry have both played for the United States in the international arena, Mokate in sevens and Fry in the 15-a-side game. He was a member of their World Cup squad last year.

Mokate will be part of a formidable loose forward trio also including two of the brightest stars on the local front in James Goodger and Johan Van Vliet and they promise to have a huge say today, both on attack and defence.

New Zealand Universities are using this match as a final dress rehearsal before they take on Japan four days later and consequently they are likely to have a decent edge when it comes to combination and fitness.

Ex Wairarapa-Bush hooker Robbie Foreman, these days a regular with Manawatu in the ITM Cup competition, is understood be part of their starting XV.

A likely Wairarapa-Bush team is: Guy Wood, Cameron Hayton, Jesse McGilvary, Jim Temoci, Kieran te Whare, Tipene Haira, Matt O'Connor, Taylor Mokate, Johan Van Vliet, Andrew McLean, Lachie McFadzean, James Goodger, Jurt Simmonds, Adam Marshall and Wilba Davies. Reserves: Cody Whittaker, Nick Olson, Jared Hawkins, Joe Feast, Eric Fry and Jamie Hunt.Meanwhile, the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Supporters Club is preparing for a busy 2012 season. There were some fears the club could be forced into recess through a lack of people willing to help out with organisation.

But with the tireless Roddy McKenzie at the helm with support from the likes of Nick Ives, Todd Brooks, Snapper Peterson, John Percy, Malcolm Willoughby and evergreen Bob Waitere, it is again 'all systems go'.

The club is still looking for somebody willing to help them reinstate mascot Rory the Stag, who got himself red carded a couple of seasons ago, but is now ready to spring to life again.