United gain top players

The stocks of Wairarapa United leading into their involvement in Capital Soccer's first division competition in 2005 continue to rise.
Hard on the heels of news that a former New Zealand senior and age group representative in Andrew Taylor and Fijian international Laisiasa Gataurua would be part of the Wairarapa United squad next season, comes word that another quality Fijian player will be joining them as well.
He is 26-year-old Pita Rabo who has played for Fiji at senior level since the age of 18.
Rabo's curriculum vitae suggests he will add considerable sting to the Wairarapa United attack.
In four of the last five years he has been awarded the "Golden Boot" for the most goals scored in Fiji's national league, a competition in which he plays for Suva.
Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley saw Rabo in action whilst in Fiji earlier in the year and was hugely impressed by his natural athleticism and flair.
"I doubt whether there will be a quicker forward in the whole of division one," he said. "And not only is he fast, but he does things with the ball that not many players can do."
Keinzley expects Rabo's sheer enthusiasm for the game to rub off on his team-mates,
"Just about every time I ring him in Fiji he is out training???..he basically lives for soccer," he said. "Passion like that can be so valuable in terms of setting examples for others to follow."
While delighted to have recruits of the calibre of Taylor, Gataurua and Rabo on board ,Keinzley is just as pleased with the number of talented locally-based players who will be making themselves available as well.
Amongst them are Carl Shailer, Troy Burling, Evan Shailer, Robbie Bull, Andy Robertson and Charles Kendall.Carl Shailer was Player of the Year for Wairarapa United last season. He is a natural left footer with a good turn of speed and generally plays in the midfield.
Burling is best suited to the outside of the midfield where his speed and ability to beat defenders in a one-on-one situation makes him a very valuable acquisition in an attacking sense.
Evan Shailer is a versatile player with an assertive attitude while Bull and Robertson are both sturdy defenders. Bull has vast experience on his side, having already chalked up more than 70 appearances for Wairarapa United.
Goalkeeper proved a problem position for Wairarapa United last season with personnel changes happening from time to time but things improved when Rathkeale College old boy Kendall returned to the district and made himself available. He promises to be a key figure in the 2005 line-up.