The Wanganui Heartland selectors have named a squad of 26 less experienced players for the pre-season game against Manawatu B and Wairarapa Bush. Head coach Jason Caskey feels the two half games against these two teams give the coaching team and selection panel an ideal opportunity to test the younger
players against tougher competition.
With the Heartland competition kicking off on August 22, this early pre-season game, at the Rugby Institute, Palmerston North, on Wednesday, June 24, will be treated as another trial, giving some of these players a chance to make the Heartland squad.
Two training sessions are scheduled at Cooks Gardens before the game - Wednesday, June 10, at 6pm and Wednesday, June 17, also at 6pm. All players selected are expected to be available to attend both training sessions, but players unavailable are requested to contact the head coach, Jason Caskey.
The Squad
WAQANIBAU, Poasa (Back), Border; KURUYABAKI, Kameli (Back), Kaierau; LAMA, Areta (Back), Kaierau; BALEITAVUKI, Isi (Back), Ngamatapouri; TAMOU, Kane (Back), Ratana; BROWN, Troy (Back), Ruapehu; HEKENUI, Zion (Back), Ruapehu; SHORT, William (Back), Ruapehu; FLAWS, Jaye (Back), Taihape; NICHOLLS, Brett (Back), Taihape; KUBUNAVANUA, Samu (Back), Utiku; NABULIWAQE, Michael (Back), Utiku; HUSSEY, Keryn (Forward), Border; LATU, Kampeli (Forward), Border; MADAMS, Sam (Forward), Border; ULUKUTA, Bobo (Forward), Border; HERRING, Manu (Forward), Marist; HUDSON, Bryn (Forward), Ngamatapouri; RATUGOLEA, Apenisa (Forward), Ngamatapouri; TURNER, Brent (Forward), Pirates; GUPWELL, Tawhio (Forward), Ruapehu; HAKARAIA, Gabriel (Forward), Ruapehu; TUTAUHA, Roman (Forward), Ruapehu; CAMPBELL, Jackson (Forward), Ruapehu; MITCHELL, Liam (Forward), Te Kawau (Manawatu); VOLAU, Malakai (Forward), Utiku
