Attacking vibe to new-look XV

Asalemo Malo's move into the midfield in a swap with Jason Temara is one of a series of personnel changes for Wanganui to play attacking rugby against Thames Valley tomorrow. PHOTO/FILE A-070913WCSMRUGBY7

The axe has been swung and a new-look Steelform Wanganui outfit have been given a licence to do a little chopping themselves at Cook Gardens tomorrow in the pivotal Pink Batts Heartland Championship match against Thames Valley.

With the Meads Cup semifinals likely to hang on tomorrow's clash and the tough away fixture with North Otago next weekend, hinted changes in combinations after two late comeback victories have been brought into full effect with four established players dropped to the bench and a major positional swap for two linchpins of the backline.

After two weeks' absence, regular captain Peter Rowe returns from a neck injury to openside flanker, with Jason Hughes in the reserves in favour of retaining Lasa Ulukuta at No8.

Also in the pack, veteran and 2012 NZ Heartland XV prop Shaun McDonough makes way for Kim McNaught.

Coach Karl Hoskin said after the player's only break of the season, Rowe was "really amped" and the inspirational skipper's scrounging abilities will have to feature if his coach's gamble is to come to fruition.

This is an all-new look backline, with Robert Hughes and Pehira Huwyler making way for speedy winger Sailosi Naqiso and powerhouse second-five Soonalote Tauailoto respectively.

After having a big impact off the bench in the comebacks against South Canterbury and Poverty Bay, Hoskin said Tauailoto, like Ulukuta, had earned a spot through sheer hard work.

"Both of them are still doing extra training on top of rep training and they are both really showing [benefits].

"It's time to roll the dice and it's time for a number of players sitting on the fringe to have a go.'

The 51-game veteran Asalemo Malo moves into centre to partner Tauailoto, swapping with Manawatu import Jason Temara, who will cover the back.

It gives the starting XV an attacking vibe with players who can consolidate coming on later and that is Hoskin's strategy.

He is confident Malo and Temara can handle their new roles, particularly in broken play.

"Jase has played a lot of fullback and the reason we've put him there is as an attacking opportunity.

"We've played all our 'get out of jail free' cards, it's time to start the game the way we finish.

"I'm backing our attack plan we're going to attack and we're going to use every opportunity that we get."

Another new name is former Wanganui High School hooker Robert Lavin joining the bench after his debut season of Premier club rugby for Kaierau.

With Roman Tutauha's injury keeping him out for at least two to three weeks, Lavin gets an elevation from the Development XV where Hoskin had initially been content to let him remain this season.

However, in keeping with his "stay local" philosophy, the coach decided against calling available hookers from Taranaki and Auckland to bring up Lavin as understudy to Karl Parker, who simply must perform tomorrow.

"If he can show us the faith we've got in him, he's 18-19 so he'll be around for a while," said Hoskin of Lavin.

Soldier Sonny Woodmass returns from his duties last weekend to fill the reserve lock spot.

Lucas Puts, Faalafi Vave and Simon Hillis all head back to the Development XV for their big RDO Cup final game against Horowhenua Kapiti in Levin.

Thames Valley had been on a hot streak, beating South Canterbury (21-17), Poverty Bay (27-18) and Buller (23-18), before losing to King Country last weekend (27-22).

They have brought in four Waikato-based players in centre Bryce Cowley, first five and goal-kicker Kane Adams and origin prop Kieran Ramage, along with Counties Manukau halfback David Bason (Onewhero).

Kickoff for the Heartland match is 2.30pm at Cooks Gardens.

Turn to Page 22 for the Wanganui Development XV team for the RDO Cup final and the Wanganui Under-20 team who will play the curtainraiser at Cooks Gardens tomorrow.