Rugby: Imports needed for crucial backline roles

Halfback Kane Tamou, scoring this 2015 try in Levin against Horowhenua Kapiti, has jumped the fence to play for the neighbouring union.

Steelform Wanganui will be looking at imported backs to fill up a couple of important holes when they defend the Bruce Steel Memorial Cup in their last preseason match with Horowhenua-Kapiti tomorrow.

The Playford Park game could well be the first of consecutive Cup defences, because if Wanganui keep hold of their Central Heartland prize then it will also be on the line in the Mitre 10 Heartland Championship opener with Wairarapa-Bush next weekend.

As the chronic knee and hamstring issues of fullbacks Cameron Crowley and Nick Harding have flared up again, while Wanganui Collegiate's Cody Hemi still has school game commitments, coach Jason Caskey and backs coach Jason Hamlin will be looking at a utility import to cover the No15 jumper tomorrow.

They will also be trying out a reserve halfback from the Manawatu, after Fa'alele Iosua had to follow his fellow Pirate and Air Chathams Wanganui Under 20's rep Junior Ainea home to Samoa due to the expiry of their work visas.

"It's a real shame, for both Fa'alele and Junior," said Hamlin.

"Junior could have gone with Dev [Wanganui Toyota Development XV].

"Fa'alele, I think he would have been real good in the Heartland - a nippy little guy, coming on in the last 20 minutes."

Hamlin said Iosua was dead keen to come back to play for Wanganui, but was unable to secure a visa extension - a matter that will have to be sorted out.

The irony of needing a second halfback behind Lindsay Horrocks is that his 2016 understudy Kane Tamou is now looking to cement his place in the Horowhenua Kapiti lineup.

Tamou, who was strong in his selective opportunities during last year's undefeated march to the Meads Cup, transferred from the Ratana club to Foxton early in the Tasman Tanning Premier club season in the hope of becoming a No1 provincial halfback.

"You can understand that," said Hamlin.

"Kane was living in Palmerston North as well. You saw, when he didn't make the mid-season squad, he thought, 'I've got to go out and try', so good on him."

There could well be another reunion at Playford Park as 2015 Wanganui front rower Tawhio Gupwell, now with the Rahui club, is one of seven props currently getting a look-in with Horowhenua-Kapiti's wider squad.

The side will be captained by very experienced lock Ryan Shelford.

Wanganui had better news on the injury front as their influential lock/loose forward Fraser Hammond is back from injury, but Campbell Hart will still need at least another week to be fully fit from his groin strain.

The Cup being on the line adds a little flavour to the preseason clash, given Horowhenua Kapiti took it off Wanganui at Cooks Gardens in 2014, before Wanganui regained it in Levin for captain Peter Rowe's 100th game in 2015, then narrowly defended it last year in the final round robin match.

Kickoff in Levin is at 2.30pm.