All 27 players in the Warriors squad have been allocated to Bartercard teams and the intention to have them play in the national competition was best illustrated this week when hooker Lance Hohaia was dropped and sent to Waicoa Bay.
The presence of Hohaia and 2005 Junior Kiwis captain and
Warriors development prop Sam Rapira should draw added interest to the game against Counties-Manukau on Saturday.
Veteran Otahuhu prop George Tuakura will play for the new Tamaki merged venture against the brand-new Northern Force in Whangarei. Richard Villasanti is expected to turn out for the Canterbury Bulls, and both Misi Taulapapa and Patrick Ah Van are listed for the Lions in the first Monday night game at North Harbour Stadium.
Warriors in the Bartercard Cup
Northern Storm: Todd Byrne, Grant Rovelli.
Harbour League: Louis Anderson, Tony Martin, Brent Webb.
Auckland Lions: Patrick Ah Van, Awen Guttenbeil, Jerome Ropati, Misi Taulapapa, Evarn Tuimavave.
Tamaki Leopards: Clinton Toopi, George Tuakura, Manu Vatuvei, Cooper Vuna, Ruben Wiki.
Waitakere Rangers: Sione Faumuina, Epalahame Lauaki.
Counties-Manukau Jetz: Sonny Fai, Nathan Fien, George Gatis.
Waicoa Bay Stallions: Lance Hohaia, Wairangi Koopu, Sam Rapira.
Central Falcons: Micheal Luck, Steve Price.
Wellington Orcas: Simon Mannering.
Canterbury Bulls: Richard Villasanti.
