Fresh faces in starting lineup

After his concussion in the premier club final, Tremaine Gilbert will come onto the bench for Wanganui this afternoon against Hawkes Bay Saracens.

Steelform Wanganui coach Jason Caskey and his staff have settled on the starting lineup for today's preseason game at Cooks Gardens.

There have been a handful of changes to the side that started the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato in Cambridge.

Border prop Hamish Mellow gets the run-on spot ahead of Viki Tofa, while Renato Tikoisolomone comes on to blindside flanker as Campbell Hart moves into lock with tall Irishman Gavin Thornbury not named.

Kane Tamou will start at halfback to partner the newest Irish arrival in Steve Crosbie, while two outside back positions remain bracketed with Craig Clare or Kaveni Dabenaise starting at centre, while Ngamatapouri mates Michael Nabuliwaqe and Samu Kubunavanua are matched on one wing and the bench.

Also, making his comeback from concussion will be reserve loose forward Tremaine Gilbert.

A couple of the reserve front rowers in Jack Yarrall and Jason White are expected to pull double duty as they will start for the Wanganui Toyota Development XV against Hawkes Bay Under 19 in the curtain raiser game at 1pm.

The main match starts at 2.30pm.

The teams are:

Wanganui
1.Tietie Tuimauga; 2. Roman Tutauha; 3. Hamish Mellow; 4. Sam Madams; 5. Campbell Hart; 6. Renato Tikoisolomone; 7. Peter Rowe (c); 8. Malakai Volou; 9. Kane Tamou; 10. Steve Crosbie; 11. Michael Nabuliwaqe/Samu Kubunavanua; 12. Kameli Kuruyabaki; 13. Craig Clare/Kaveni Dabenaise; 14. Simon Dibben; 15. Te Rangatira Waitokia.
Reserves - Forwards: 16. Jack Yarell; 17. Cole Baldwin; 18. Viki Tofa; 19. Jason White; 20. Tremaine Gilbert; 21. Jamie Hughes. Backs: 22. Lindsay Horrocks; 23. Dane Whale; 24. Ace Malo; 25. Samu Kubunavanua/Michael Nabuliwaqe.

Hawkes Bay Saracens
1. Jarvy Aoake (c); 2. Teremoana Joel; 3. Sean Morrison; 4. Tamatoa Higgins; 5. Ben Parsons; 6. Kaleb Whakataka; 7. George MacPherson; 8. Lucas Goodin; 9. Tim Sciascia; 10. Dan Snee; 11. Mikey Vuicakau; 12. Cole Eru; 13. Hayden Hann; 14. Naua Uaisele; 15. Tom Losefo.
Reserves: 16. Logan Ede; 17. Nathan Bruce; 18. Paulo Nuu; 19. Hannon Brighouse; 20. Joseph Penitito; 21. Karl Hewitt; 22. David Benson; 23. Tomo Fogarty.