Wairarapa-Bush will be without star winger Nick Olson when they wind up their 2011 Heartland Championship campaign against Wanganui at Cooks Garden, Wanganui, on Saturday.
Olson was an outstanding performer for Wairarapa-Bush against Horowhenua-Kapiti last weekend, scoring an excellent try and making several scintillating runs in their 47-10 success. However,he also had the misfortune to suffer a broken thumb and will be sidelined for the Wanganui game.
The choice of who replaces Olson will very probably come down to either Heemi Tupaea or Tommy Harmon, both of whom usually play their rugby in the midfield but have been on the wing for Wairarapa-Bush in the past.
Olson's defection apart, it is odds on that the make-up for the Wairarapa-Bush rearguard will be exactly as it was for the Horowhenua-Kapiti game where they produced their most convincing display of the season.
Young halfback Matt O'Connor continues to be challenged for a starting berth by Inia Katia but was the more assured of the two in his passing last weekend and he seems certain to again team up with first-five Zeb Aporo.
The strength and power of midfielders Sam Mitchell and Michael Vuicikau was one of the most pleasing features of the Horowhenua-Kapiti match and they will be looking to build on that against a Wanganui side who use their midfield as target men in attacking situations. And there seems little doubt Jesse McGilvary will start on one wing and Trent Vatselias at fullback.
Two question marks hover over the composition of the Wairarapa-Bush pack.
Prop Wilba Davies came out of last weekend's match with an abdominal strain but has been making such a positive impact from the bench that, providing he is fit, he must be a chance to be rewarded with a starting role.
He would join in-form hooker Jake Tipene in the front row, along with either Brendan Walker or Kurt Simmonds.
Three into two doesn't go and that's the poser facing coaches Mark Rutene and Steve Thompson when it comes to the middle row. Andrew McLean and Dan Griffin did a good job there against Poverty Bay but complicating the selection process is the fact Brandan Young is now back in the reckoning after being unavailable for the last couple of games.
There are no such complications about the loose forward trio though, with Johan Van Vliet, James Goodger and skipper Joss Tua-Davidson all playing outstandingly well against Horowhenua-Kapiti. Their selection is guaranteed.
