Rugby: Selection chances open play

Town fullback Grayson Tihema tries to get his pass away, despite the tackle of Country first-five Nick Tipling at Cooks Gardens on Wednesday night. Photo/Stuart Munro

A fast-paced, fluid game put a smile on the face of Wanganui coach Jason Caskey after the Town versus Country rugby trial at Cooks Gardens on Wednesday night.

The clash was the first match for those aspiring to be selected for the Steelform Wanganui Heartland squad and the Wanganui Development squad after the Tasman Tanning premier season in four weeks.

Country ran out worthy winners, beating Town 26-22, although strong commitment displayed by both sides mattered more to Caskey and his selection team.

Pre-match on Wednesday, he said while a number of positions were under the spotlight, the first trial was designed more to provide his coaching staff with an overview of where Wanganui rugby was at, five weeks out from its first pre-season Heartland game against King Country in Taumarunui.

"Tonight is their first trot after one training session each and I want to see what it throws up see if we've missed anything. There are a few positions we are looking at and there may be some concern around fitness levels."

Caskey had little to worry about on fitness following a game that was played in two 20-minute spells and a final 40-minute session, with players subbed on and off at regular intervals.

The majority named to play in the trial turned out with the notable exception of Taihape first-five Tom Wells, who was suffering a slight back injury.

Hunterville halfback Nick Tipling replaced him at No10 in Wednesday night's Country starting line-up.

Town spent most of the first spell in Country's half and were rewarded with a great forward push over try scored by Border's John Laurie at lock.

This was followed shortly after by another fine forward push that allowed his teammate Kamipeli Latu at prop to score.

The match see-sawed and Country countered with a try from Taihape's Dane Whale wearing the fullback jersey.

Winger Jaye Flaws from Taihape dotted again for Country down before midfielder Kameli Kuruyabaki (Pirates) scored for Town.

Late in the match Utiku Old Boys winger Michael Nabuliwaqa snaffled the ball out wide and ran half the field to score.

The difference between the two sides may well have come down to kicking duties with Ruapehu's Zyon Hekenui showing the best form for Country, missing just one shot at goal, while clubmate Tautahi Rawiri kicked two conversions and a penalty, although missing two other shots.

Rawiri plays for Ruapehu, but lives in Wanganui hence his selection for the Town side.

Post-match, Caskey was reluctant to single out players or positions under scrutiny, but was more than happy with the ball skills and commitment shown by both sides after just one training session together.

"It was a reasonably fluid, fast-paced game and there was plenty of commitment from both sides, which was great to see.

"Ball retention was a bit of a problem from time to time, but I think that was more to do with players slow to the breakdowns. These are things we can work on.

"Overall I was pretty happy with what I saw tonight," Caskey said.

Country 26 (Kapene Paki [Ratana], Dane Whale [Taihape], Jaye Flaws [Taihape], Michael Nabuliwaqa [Utiku OB] tries, Zyon Hekenui [Ruapehu] 3 con) beat Town 22 (John Laurie [Border], Kamipeli Latu [Border], Kameli Kuruyabaki [Pirates] tries, Tautahi Rawiri [Ruapehu] pen, 2 con).