Rugby: Waikato look to test new combinations

By CHRIS RATTUE

Waikato will unveil a new loose forward combination in the opening Ranfurly Shield defence against West Coast today, while veteran lock Mark Cooksley's future in the big time is on the line.

Waikato coach Kiwi Searancke will give a number of unheralded players their chance in what will be a points-scoring romp against the division three side in Greymouth.

New Zealand Universities openside flanker Scott Couch and former national Colt Jono Gibbes will start in the loose forwards alongside captain Deon Muir.

The deaths of Aaron Hopa and Ryan Wheeler have left a gap in loose forward experience.

Nick Holten will be on the bench today while Marty Holah, who made the squad last year ahead of Couch, is out of action for up to a month with a hand injury.

"I'm taking the opportunity to test the depth and if some of these guys put their hand up there could be a bit of a changing of the guard," said Searancke.

One player who could find himself on the outer is the 29-year-old Cooksley, who played 21 matches, including nine tests, for the All Blacks during the mid-1990s.

Waikato have some strength at lock with Chresten Davis and Royce Willis, provided Willis can remain fit.

Giant lock Cooksley has no utility value if he is on the bench, which might also count against him in the modern era.

Searancke said: "The reason he is missing is pretty much a form thing. He is not out of it completely but he has to show me he has the desire to come back."

Another former All Black, Scott McLeod, is making his way back in club rugby after suffering injury and concussion. Searancke has spoken to him about rumours that he is heading overseas.

McLeod has indicated his immediate future is in New Zealand, although the sometimes secretive world of player transfers means players cannot always reveal their options.

Haden Hireme, who Searancke rates as a "passing second five-eighths suited to the way the game is played now," will get his first start.

Waikato will also be without props Michael Collins and David Briggs who have short-term injuries. Deacon Manu, who had a small role in the New Zealand Colts international under-21 triumph, starts.

West Coast had their best NPC season in 1999 when they were bolstered by imports such as Super 12 prop Stu Loe. They made it through to the third division semifinals where they were just beaten by Poverty Bay.

But the inevitable drift out of West Coast means that their 28-year-old captain Michael Foster, the union's points record holder, is the only surviving back from last year.

Four of today's players, Nathan Simon, Hemi Taukiri, Aaron Kemp and James Lamb, are loan players from Canterbury.

A crowd of about 1500 is expected at Rugby Park. Waikato's next challenges are against North Otago in Oamaru on Saturday, and Wanganui in Tokoroa on July 22.

West Coast: Nathan Simon, John Harrison, Hemi Taukiri, Graham McPhail/Jolan McLean, Chris Evans, Michael Foster (capt), Aaron Kemp; James Lamb, Regan Dixon, Jamie Connors, Marc Hunter, Brad Tauwhare, John Aitken, Jonson Hauraki, Tony Oliver. Res: (from) Kyle Parker, Colin Loft, McLean/McPhail, Kane Curtis; Daniel Tauwhare, Craig Clark, Gary Long, Reuben Martin, Dougal Hurst.

Waikato: Todd Miller, Grant McQuoid, Keith Lowen, Roger Randle, Haden Hireme, Glen Jackson, Ben Willis; Deon Muir (capt), Scott Couch, Jono Gibbes, Royce Willis, Chresten Davis, Paul Martin, Guy Coleman, Deacon Manu. Res: Damian Karauna, Mark Ranby, Rhys Duggan; Nick Holten, Tony Petero, Anton Edwards, Tony Philp.

Referee: Peter Boyden (Hawkes Bay)

Kickoff: 3 pm.