"They've played together a few times through the [Under] 18s, and they're all mates," said Brown.
Last year's Whanganui Under 18 squad became the first side from the union to lift the Trustbank Central Shield as Hurricanes U18 champions.
"They're definitely a pretty talented team. On paper, I was like, 'wow', looking at the names on the sheet was enough to think, 'Aw, jeez, it's pretty handy," said Brown.
"We're the curtain raiser for the Heartland game too. Hopefully, we'll put up a good show."
Running the cutter will be Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist standout Rangi Kui, who had to miss the last few games of the Premier competition with a neck injury and then Covid.
"Looking sharp, he came to the muster on Wednesday [July 20] keen as," said Brown.
"Just that bit on the sideline there put a bit of fire under him, so hopefully we can grab that out of him and put it on the park.
"We're planning to put Anthony [Sellers] in the back, and between the two of them, move that backline up."
There is also some talent in the pack.
"Who surprised me most was Jacob Sciascia from Taihape – he actually took a leadership role in the muster.
"Logan Kingi, he put a lot into what we're trying to achieve, and you've got Nio [Tichbon] and also Rongomai [McLean-Wanoa] who can steal anything from anywhere.
"Taine Tucker, he's a big man and young, too.
"Hopefully [we] have the engine room to keep that ball, or even if we don't have it, pinch it."
Whanganui have ground to make up after 2021 when Horowhenua-Kapiti U20 were undefeated champions, having lost to them and Wairarapa Bush before narrowly winning the last match with Poverty Bay.
"We'll take it as it comes. Horowhenua-Kapiti have always been pretty talented, they run the ball a lot from what I've seen," said Brown.
"Wairarapa Bush are always good, they've always done really well in the age group, and Poverty Bay, that's Māori rugby – they'll run it from anywhere – plus that's [my] home as well, so it would be good to get one up on them."
The team is:
Logan Kingi, Blake Mitchell (Border); Neo Tichbon, Stan Puapii, Anthony Sellers, Loma Ligavatu, Aporosa Bulivou, Rehimana Meihana, Jordyn Turvey (Kaierau); Te Kaokao Kairimu, Rongomai McLean-Wanoa, Dareus Hina-Pauro, Rangi Kui, Lafo Ah Ching, Atriane Marino (Marist); Taine Tucker (Marton); Tawhiwhi Karatiana, Mitai Hemi (Ratana Pa); Ben Waiwai, Jayden Taylor (Ruapehu); Renata Campbell-Simon, Jacob Sciascia (Taihape); Joseph Abernethy (Utiku); Casey Scott (Hunterville).
Metro preview
St Johns Whanganui Metro were reminded a home MRU Colts championship semifinal is not theirs by right after a second loss this season to competition leaders College Old Boys RFC on Saturday.
Looking to lock in a top two spot in their penultimate round-robin match at Ongley Park, while getting payback for their 48-29 loss in the first round, Metro lost players to injury in a similar fashion to that game - being over-run 36-17.
"The boys played really well first half, up 12-10," said coach Mark Cosford.
"The wheels fell off second half, they lost focus, had a few injuries.
"It gives them a bit of a dose of reality."
College ran in several tries, and although Metro scored their third right at the end, it wasn't enough to bring in a precious bonus point, moving back to third currently on the table on points differential behind the Feilding Yellows, heading into the final round-robin games.
Halfback Jerome McCrea and flanker Isaac Jordan added to their try-scoring tallies, while winger Ethan Mills dotted down for the first time, with second five Akiwa Koro adding a conversion.
Metro will be home tomorrow against Te Kawau RFC, another side who beat them in the first round, 34-20.
However, Te Kawau have not picked up a win in the championship group, dipping out on a semifinal chance after a 13-5 loss to Bush SC on Saturday.
Nonetheless, they have been competitive in each game, getting two bonus points from narrow losses to Feilding and College.
Metro will need a good win, while waiting to see how the other game goes as Bush host Feilding at Bush Park, to see if they will secure the other home semifinal spot alongside College.
Should Metro and Feilding remain tied on the points table, under MRU rules, Metro will get priority in the placings due to winning both matches between the sides this season.
Kickoff against Te Kawau is 12.45pm.
