Fringe players to be tested pre-season

EXPERIENCE: Provincial rugby veteran and former Highlander Craig Clare may be tested in a couple of positions for Wanganui in Palmerston North tonight. PHOTO/MERRILYN GEORGE

Steelform Wanganui's Meads Cup title defence effectively begins tonight (June 22) with the team's first hit out of the season.

Wanganui take on Manawatu Evergreens at CET Arena in Palmerston North and coach Jason Caskey will use the pre-season match to test fringe and players and those new to the area with an eye of finalising a squad for the Mitre 10 Heartland Championship which begins in August.

"It's an opportunity for the guys that we thought played well in the trial to show that they can make the next step up," he said.

"It's all good to play well in a trial game but when you play opposition that are pretty big and they'll be pretty drilled, it's a step up."

Caskey said the match would also test some of the squad who are playing senior rugby (a step below premier grade) with Ngamatapouri.

"That's why we wanted them to play this game because they're playing at a level below where they should be."

Caskey said he was particularly after talent for the seven jersey and at and first-five eighth.

"We also need another good communicator and somebody with a bit of game nous."

The match will also be a chance for the side to get used to new rules, mainly around the breakdown, which will be used in Wanganui's upcoming Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato but not in the Heartland Championship.

Caskey said a more competitive club season had been good for the standard of rugby in Wanganui this season.

Meanwhile, Simon Dibben and Lindsay Horrocks were late inclusions in the squad as injury cover.

Wanganui also have a match against Taranaki B after the club finals weekend before the Ranfurly Shield challenge on August 6 and the Heartland opener against West Coast in Whanganui on August 27.

-Tonight's match at CET Arena in Palmerston North kicks off at 6.30pm.