Late rush to prop up team

Wanganui Rugby

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 prop Isaac 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Wanganui had arranged for 2014 representative Viki Tofa to join the team as cover on the bench, but he has now withdrawn with a foot injury.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).

The curtain-raiser will be the Wanganui Under 20s taking on NZ Army Academy at 1pm.

Following the main game at 2.30pm, the Wanganui High School 1st XV will meet Wellington's Scots College in a Land Rover 1st XV competition clash.

Wanganui

1. Tawhio Gupwell; 2. Cole Baldwin; 3. Kamipeli Latu; 4. Sam Madams; 5. Fraser Hammond; 6. Daniel Fitzgerald; 7. Peter Rowe (c); 8. Renato Tikoilosomone; 9. Lindsay Horrocks; 10. Zyon Hekenui; 11. Samu Kubunavanua; 12. Troy Brown; 13. Poasa Waqanibau; 14. Michael Nabuliwaqa; 15. Trinity Spooner-Neera.

Reserves: 16. Roman Tutauha; 18. Reserve prop; 19. Kieran Hussey; 20. Malakai Volou; 21. Kane Tamou; 22. Areta Lama; 23. Jaye Flaws; 24. Simon Dibben; 25. Stephen Perofeta.

Hawke's Bay Saracens

1. Dennis Tapusua; 2. Jorian Tangaere; 17. Paulo Nuu; 4. Everard Reid; 5. Ben Parsons; 6. Jesse Tuhua; 7. Ben Hamelink; 8. Kaleb Sweet; 9. Jono Ruru; 10. Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald; 11. Penikolo Latu; 12. Cole Eru; 13. Ted Walters; 14. Kody Lancaster; 15. Star Timu.

Reserves: 16. Joe Simeon; 3. Ezrah Amituanai; 18. Sanaila Waqa; 19. Andrew Gardner; 20. Joseph Penitito; 21. Jayden Rihia; 22. Tianua Poto; 23. David Neilson; 24. Jackson Neilson.