Champions in 2009 and runners-up last year, Masterton Red Star, will be without point-scoring machine Byron Karaitiana when the Wairarapa-Bush senior first division competition kicks off on Saturday, March 19,
Karaitiana, a key member of the Wairarapa-Bush Heartland championship side over the past couple of seasons, both for his goal kickingand ability to play practically anywhere in the backline, has transferred to the East Coast club, whose premier side is coached by former All Black Mark Donaldson.
Other regulars in the Masterton Red Star line-up who will be missing in 2011 are hard-working loose forwards Jordan Sutherland and Geordie McCallum and front rower Ra Blundull, but new coach Chris Osborne remains optimistic they will again give a strong account of themselves.
"I think it's fair to say we look a little bit weaker than we have for a couple of years but we should certainly be competitive," he said.
Wairarapa-Bush reps in utility back Heemi Tupaea and loosie Chris Senior are sure to be mainstays of the Masterton Red Star line-up, along with halfback Callum Buchanan and experienced tight forwards Jake Bubb and Tyrone McTavish.
