Rugby: 26-man Whanganui squad on trial

Try scoring Pirates' prop Raymond Epati will get the once over from Steelform Wanganui management during tonight's match against Manawatu Evergreens.

A rolling sub policy will allow Steelform Wanganui coach Jason Caskey to give the entire 26-man squad a run against Manawatu Evergreens at Cooks gardens tonight.

The 7pm match is the final lead-up to Wanganui's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury in Christchurch next Wednesday.

Injuries have forced Caskey and his management team to look outside his go-to men, especially in the forwards. Without linchpin props Tietie Tuimauga, Viki Tofa and Hamish Mellow others have been named in the 26-man squad.

They include Saturday's try scoring Pirates prop Raymond Epati.
"We haven't seen Raymond yet, so he'll dfefintely get a run. In fact, everyone will get game time,' Caskey said.

"Hopefully Viki and Hamish will be right by next week. We have had a few runs together ahead of the Evergreens game, but it's been a bit Mickey Mouse to be fair. The run up has not been ideal and we will have another training run on Sunday and again on Tuesday to get up to speed for the challenge."

Te Rangatira Waitokia, 2016's Heartland Player of the Year who signed his first professional contract with Manawatu two weeks ago, will play his second match against Wanganui in a week and a half. He featured on the wing scoring a try for Hurricanes Development and is likely to be on the field for the Evergreens as they face his former Wanganui team.

Then come challenge time among the Canterbury side are players with strong Wanganui connections, Lincoln University's Jack Stratton, Brett Cameron and Jonathan (Jonno) Osborne, as well as Sumner's Poasa Waqanibau.

"You don't really want to commit too much to these challenges because they are longshots, but we will be giving it our best shot," Caskey said.

Front row issues aside the Wanganui backline in back intact tonight with the return from injury of first-five Craig Clare who can only strengthen playmaking options.