Quartet make NZ squad

Four players of the Touch Whanganui Over 40s team have been named in the New Zealand-training squad on the back of their strong performance at the national championships a fortnight ago.

Lee Peina, David Kereti, Johnny Muir and Barry Muir are in the squad from which a team will be selected to play Australia.

Touch Whanganui secretary Zoe Millar said coming second in the Over 40s was great after the Under 17 Mixed team won their national junior title in February. Five of the younger players were selected for the NZ squad.

"We are really proud that our amazing talent in this city is being given a chance to shine.

"The other big provinces are all talking about our teams and trying to copy our team tactics, which is a real honour."

At Bruce Pulman Park in Takanini, Auckland, the Wanganui team had a great start, beating 2013 finalists Bay of Plenty then accounting for Manawatu, Counties Manukau and Horowhenua.

Next day they defeated reigning champions Auckland, then drew with Wellington and lost to North Harbour before beating Otago in the last pool match.

Millar said due to a couple of injuries, they played the North Harbour and Otago matches with only eight players, resting two.

Teams could take up to 16 players to the nationals, but due to last minute withdrawals they had been reduced to 10.

Tied on points with North Harbour, Wanganui beat them to make the final.

However, Auckland won the last match to retain the championship, which they have dominated in the Over 40s grade for the past decade.