Maori face Wellington in Masterton

Gabriel Hakaraia

The Whanganui Maori team will play a straight final of the Te Tini A Maui Rugby Tournament in Masterton tomorrow when they meet Wellington's Te Upoko O Te Ika.

Whanganui Tane and Wellington Maori contested the final of last year's tournament at City College, with the team from the capital beating the Tane by 48-10.

However, that was a full competition as Whanganui beat Horowhenua-Kapiti 29-14 and Manawatu 33-5 to make the playoff, while Wellington accounted for Taranaki 36-12.

Assistant coach Justin Lock said this year, the unfortunate pull out of Taranaki, Manawatu, and Horowhenua-Kapiti has seen the remaining five teams split into two divisions.

Whanganui and Te Upoko O Te Ika will contest the Men's A division, while home side Wairarapa, Horouta (Poverty Bay) and Te Matau (Hawkes Bay) face each other in the Men's B division.

Having had a couple of training sessions together, the Whanganui squad contains 11 of the players who were in the Maori side that hammered Taranaki Maori 43-12 back in October.

Included are about five incumbent members from the 2016 Meads Cup winning Steelform Wanganui squad, plus several more with experience in Heartland rugby as well as the Development XV and Under 20's.

"We got a pretty strong team. Stronger than last year's team," said Lock.

"The boys are pretty confident. As long as we are competing well."

A couple of key losses are injured first-five Dane Whale, while 2016's Heartland Player of the Year Te Rangatira Waitokia also has a hurt knee and is not risking further damage as he is currently getting involved in the Hurricanes development programme before starting the club rugby season in Manawatu.

Kickoff for the game is 1pm.

The team is

Forwards: Roman Tutauha (c), Gabriel Hakaraia, Tawhio Gupwell, Keanu Kaa, Jack Hodges, Christian Hawira, Sam Madams, Sean Van Der Lubbe, Jamie Hughes, Kieran Hussey, Dylan Bowater, Josh Hirini.

Backs: Te Tua Kemp, Aaron Paranihi, Kane Tamou, Ethan Robinson, Isaiah Hooper, James Forsyth, Cody Hemi, Grayson Tihema, Blair Osborne, Steelie Koro.

Coach: Vaan Rauhina; Assistant: Justin Lock; Manager: Joe Fazakerley.