Rugby: WRFU name Under 20, Maori and Samoa teams

Whanganui Maori vs Wanganui Samoans at Cooks Gardens last year.

As well as the Steelform Wanganui squad, the other tiers of the WRFU's senior representative squads have been named ahead of their coming seasons, with the youngest group kicking off on Saturday.

The Wanganui Under 20 team will contest the HYRC Development Series over the next two weekends, starting with Wairarapa Bush tomorrow, followed by Horowhenua-Kapiti and Poverty Bay in back-to-back games next Saturday and Sunday.

The team, under returning coach Danny Tamehana, will be looking to regain the series title they lost last year to Horowhenua-Kapiti, after winning it for the previous three seasons.

Also with a firm eye on the silverware is the large Wanganui Samoa squad, who will be looking to retain their High Commissioners Cup.

Becoming an official WRFU representative team last year from their previous incarnation as the Marton Samoans, Wanganui under player-coach Ace Malo won the cup in a 23-15 upset in the final against Hawke's Bay Samoa, who had previously thrashed them 60-10 in the round robin.

Meanwhile, a strong Whanganui Maori team, including members of the wider Wanganui Heartland squad, have begun their preparations under returning coach Dennis Tucker.

Whanganui have had tight tussles with Tuera Shield holders Taranaki Maori for the past two seasons, while they won the Miki Haddon Memorial taonga for the first time last year against Manawatu Maori in the last local representative game of 2018.

The squads are

Under 20: AJ Newton, Kevin Mischefski, Caleb Crosse, Kohlt Coveny, Chris Ferguson, Kotahi Paranihi, Cody Davy, Lamaire Meuniere, Dante Rooney, Levi Carroll, Devon Gower, Mairangi Tamehana, Ezekiel Anderson, Mason Johnson, Jack O'Leary, Sjon Marino, James McDonald, Tawera Puohotara, Jamie-Lee Robinson, Te Kopae Filo, Jason Myers, Tiari Mumby, Jesse Tamou, Tony Henry, Josefa Rokotakala.

Whanganui Maori: Anaru Haerewa, Luke Whale, Cameron Davies, Mitchell Millar, Christian Hawira, Peter Travis Hay Horton, Corey Carmichael, Ra Broughton, Dane Whale, Roman Tutauha, Gabriel Hakaria, Ryan Karatau, Hadlee Horton, Sam Madams, Hoani Woodhead, Sheldon Pakinga-Manhire, Jack Hodges, Te Uhi Hakaria, Jamie Hughes, Te Kepa Grindlay, Joshua Fifita, Timi Teepa, Kayden Shedlock, Tremaine Gilbert, Kieran Hussey, Wiremu Cottrell.

Wanganui Samoa: Afano Lita Kuika, Faith Esera, Manulua Lafi, Alex Mulipola, Francis Uini, Mataio Ashworth, Alex Samasoni, Fiatau Fa'alili, Meni Segi, BJ Peika, Francis Faleono, Penani Vui, Chris Amituanai, Francis Lauititi, Perofeta Fua'ava, CJ Stowers, Joe Leitupo, Popo Leota, David Perofeta, Junior Ainea, Raymond Salu, Dillon Adrole, Junior Tauailoto, Seko Kilisi, Elijah Ah-Chong, Kitiona Leitupo, Sheriff Fetu, Emile Faanene, Lake Ah-Chong, Sui Falaniko, Ezra Malo, Leti Manutulila, Taveuni Malolo, Fa'afetai Pulemafaga, Lolo Utu, Valentino Lealofi, Fa'amanu Pulemafaga, Lote Tauailoto, Viliamu Alauni.