There has been a late scramble for Steelform Wanganui to prop up their team ahead of today's final pre-season hit-out with the Hawke's Bay Saracens at Cooks Gardens.
Assistant coach Jason Hamlin said Pirates front rower Tololi Moala has opted to return home to Samoa, while potential Manawatu import propIsaac Tupai did not do enough to impress the Wanganui coaches in the practice game with Wanganui Development, in Ohakune, last weekend.
Veteran Brett Turner is also out with injury, opening the door for Development prop and Ruapehu senior player Tawhio Gupwell to get his chance in the starting line-up.
Wanganui had arranged for 2014 representative Viki Tofa to join the team as cover on the bench, but he has now withdrawn with a foot injury.
Coach Jason Caskey was looking around for another prop yesterday to join the squad.
Elsewhere, halfback William Short is also out with injury after being bracketed on the bench with Kane Tamou.
After playing the full game for Development last weekend, winger Michael Nabuliwaqa will start today, with Simon Dibben moving to the bench.
The Saracens, Hawke's Bay's development team, contain several players who were part of the Magpies' pre-season Ranfurly Shield defences against Wairarapa Bush (58-7), Horowhenua-Kapiti (50-16) and Mid Canterbury (57-12).
