IMPRESSIVE: Tom Fleming has returned from spending some time in France and could return to this season's Heartland squad.PHOTO/FILE
IMPRESSIVE: Tom Fleming has returned from spending some time in France and could return to this season's Heartland squad.PHOTO/FILE
Wairarapa-Bush are likely to field three "imports" from Wellington in their Heartland championship rugby squad this season.
Definitely returning is Old Boys University prop Finnbarr Kerr-Newell, whose strong scrummaging and bustling style of play made him one of the stars of the 2013 campaign.
And almost certain to join himare a couple of newcomers, Hutt Old Boys Marist utility forward James Wall and Upper Hutt utility back Ben Aoina.
Wall's introduction would be timely considering Wairarapa-Bush have lost four players who had stints in the middle row last season; Lachie McFadzean, Clarke Butcher, Wiremu Grace and Sam Marshall-Wilson.
At 1.97m, Wall's height makes him a competitive figure at lineout time and he is also mobile about the paddock, The likelihood is that the former Wellington B representative would be mainly used at lock although he has the mobility to be an option as a blindside flanker or a No 8.
Aoina has been a regular in Wellington premier division club rugby since making his debut for Upper Hutt in 2001. It was his first year out of Upper Hutt College and he played fullback in a side who had All Black and past Wairarapa-Bush rep Marty Berry as player-coach.
Apart from a couple of seasons with Petone in 2010-11 and a brief stint in 2009 playing club in Romania, Aoina has been an Upper Hutt regular and is now approaching 170 matches in their colours.
Now an accomplished first-five or fullback Aoina has an extra string to his bow as an accurate goal kicker, something which would be a big plus for a Wairarapa-Bush side which won't have the services of the prolific-scoring Glen Walters this year.
Aoina has been at or near the list of top points scorers in Wellington club rugby for several seasons with 2006 being his best effort, when he finished with 240 points, including six tries.
Heartland championship rugby would be nothing new for Aoina as he played for East Coast in 2005 and he has also played for Wellington at under-19, Colts and Senior B level.
Wairarapa-Bush head coach Mark Rutene said talks with Wall and Aoina had been "very positive" and, providing he and assistant coach Paddy Gough were happy with their form and fitness, they would be part of their squad for the Heartland championship, to be announced within the next fortnight.
Also likely to be there is Tom Fleming, who was so impressive when brought into the team from Wellington club rugby a couple of seasons back. Competent at lock, flanker and No 8, Fleming has not long returned to New Zealand after spending some time in France and turned out for the Carterton premier division side in a Tui Cup fixture last weekend.
