Rugby: Selectors keep an open mind

Kaierau's Jack Yarrall, who debuted in Heartland last year, will be among the young players able to press for further representative opportunities at the Town vs Country trial on Saturday. Photo/Bevan Conley

Steelform Wanganui selectors are looking to the future in the 59 players who have been named for the annual Town vs Country representative trial at Spriggens Park on Saturday.

Of the 22 players who challenged for the Ranfurly Shield against Canterbury in Christchurch on June 21, nine of them have not been included.

Veterans Peter Rowe, Ace Malo and Karl Parker have since retired, while the other absentees are Cole Baldwin, Sam Madams, Lindsay Horrocks, Craig Clare, Roman Tutauha and Sam Dawson.

The Town vs Country game is traditionally played in the middle of the season around Queen's Birthday weekend, however the Wanganui selectors named an experienced squad to play the Shield challenge and two warm-up fixtures, moving the trial to the end of the Tasman Tanning Premier club season.

"Due to the selectors wishing to view as many players as possible in certain positions, several of the more experienced Heartland players are not required to play in this trial," said the WRFU press release.

"The main purpose of this trial is an opportunity for new/younger players to push for selection."

Even without four of the absentees, new champions McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu still have strong representation with eight players in the Country squad, as do runners-up Waverley Harvesting Border with nine in the City team.

Settler's Honey Ngamatapouri have been split across the trial with three players in the City lineup, while Timoci Seruwalu and Samu Kubunavanua strengthen the Country backline.

There has also been a look-in given to players in the second-tier Senior competition, as champions Speirs Food Marton are represented by Alex Mulipola, Steven Karehana and John Kilisi, while runners-up Kelso Hunterville also have George Gardner in the Country side.

Loose forward George Forster, captain of the St Johns Club Whanganui Metro team, is the bolter in the City lineup.

Town will train at the Cullinane College on Thursday at 6pm, while Country meet up at the Ruapehu club at 6.15pm that day.

Players unavailable can contact the coaches in Lesley McKenzie (027 222 6624) for Town and Daisy Alabaster (06 388 0066) or Marty McGrath (027 288 7993) for Country.
Kickoff on Saturday is 1pm.

The teams are:

City - Forwards: Hamish Mellow (Border); Tietie Tuimauga (Border); Raymond Epati (Pirates); Viki Tofa (Marist); Jack Yarrall (Kaierau); Joe Edwards (Kaierau); Sekonaia Kalou (Border); Taione Ratu (Marist); Josh Lane (Kaierau); Cade Robinson (Kaierau); Angus Middleton (Border); Bryn Hudson (Ngamatapouri); Ranato Tikoisolomone (Border); Lake Ah Chong (Marist); Tafulu Iosua (Pirates); George Forster (Metro). Backs: Fa'alele Iosua (Pirates); Emose Vucaco (Ngamatapouri); Grayson Tihema (Border); Te Tua Kemp (Ngamatapouri); Kaveni Dabenaise (Border); Josiah Bogileka (Marist); Vaovasa Afasua (Pirates); John Kilisi (Marton); Tom Symes (Border); Isaiah Hooper (Border); Simon Dibben (Marist); Cameron Crowley (Marist); Charlie Gird (Kaierau).
Country - Forwards: Wiremu Cotterell (Taihape); Gabriel Hakaraia (Ruapehu); Kereti Tamou (Ratana); Josh Hirini (Utiku); Dylan Gallien (Taihape); Keanu Puki-Kaa (Ratana); Christian Hawira (Ruapehu); Jackson Campbell (Ruapehu); Alex Mulipola (Marton); Sam Madams (Marist); Tremaine Gilbert (Taihape); Jamie Hughes (Ruapehu); Matt Brown (Taihape); Sam Stratton (Utiku); Steven Karehana (Marton); George Gardner (Hunterville). Backs: Kahl Elers-Green (Ruapehu); Ra Brougton (Utiku); Dane Whale (Taihape); Josh Fifita (Ruapehu); Troy Brown (Ruapehu); Timoci Seruwalu (Ngamatapouri); Brett Illston (Utiku); Cyrus Parangati (Taihape); Jaye Flaws (Taihape); Cruze Pene (Ruapehu); Samu Kubunavanua (Ngamatapouri); Emori Lodoviko (Utiku); Aaron Paranihi (Ratana); Te Rangitapu McLeod (Taihape).