Friendly divides former teammates

QUALITY: Bay of Plenty halfback Freedom Carson (pictured) will be playing against the WaiCoa Bay Stallions today when he runs out with the Upper Central Zone XIII side in Rotorua.PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK 070913GN04BOP

A classic mate against mate rugby league match is to unfold in Rotorua, with a selection XIII side facing the WaiCoa Bay Stallions today.

The Stallions have the bye this weekend in the New Zealand Rugby League national competition and will use their time wisely, playing against an Upper Central Zone XIII side today at Puketawhero Park at 2.30pm.

Players from the Bay of Plenty side have featured strongly in the selection team, after sweeping a series against Waikato, Coastlines (Tauranga) and Gisborne during the past month.

The selection side is made up of players from the four districts, many of whom are on the verge of selection in the Stallions side.

Bay of Plenty and Pikiao coach Doug Unuwai has been given the nod to coach the selection side today, something he said was going to be rather interesting.

"I thought last week was going to be my final game, but I'm quite rapt to be asked to take on the role of coach," he said.

"It is a good opportunity for those guys who are on the verge of making the Stallions to put their hands up."

He said most of the players in the selection side were going up against their old teammates, who they played with in local club competitions this year.

"It is a mate against mate match in a sense," he said.

"I just hope we can give [the Stallions] a competitive run."

Unuwai said he went and watched WaiCoa Bay play last weekend and was impressed with the standard of football.

WaiCoa Bay Stallions: 1. Hamiora Mihaka, 2. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 3. John Koko, 4. Marrin Haggie, 5. Te Miri Rangi, 6. Aaron Jolley, 7. Hayden Karena (c), 8. Jeremy Siulepa, 9. Raureti Grace, 10. Fetaiamauso Tauiliili-Pelesasa, 11. Pirikawana Taiatini, 12. Phillip Rameka, 13. Willy Rutene. Reserves: 14. Dallas Kutia, 15. Renata Leilua, 16. Tarquin Court, 17. Carlos Kohu-Martin.

Upper Central Zone XIII: 1. Lance Rolleston (Coastline), 2. Nathan Miller (Gisborne), 3. Namu Puru (Waikato), 4. Seta Nalewakalou (Bay of Plenty), 5. Maehe Roberts (Waikato), 6. Liam Pendergast (Waikato), 7. Freedom Carson (Bay of Plenty), 8. Peter Rameka (Waikato), 9. Jason Watkins (Waikato), 10. Jason Pihema (Bay of Plenty), 11. Mac Carson (Bay of Plenty), 12. Tiniwaata Dixon-Murray (Waikato), 13. Tane Leef (Coastline). Reserves: 14. Johnson Peri (Bay of Plenty), 15. Shaun Plant (Bay of Plenty), 16. Charles Nepia (Coastline), 17. Toafitu Sili (Waikato), 18. Skay Rangi (Bay of Plenty), 19. Haoro Hond-Goffe (Gisborne).