Steelform Wanganui know they have the pace and the power to prosper in Masterton today, but it will be a nervous assignment without their inspirational captain on the field against Wairarapa-Bush.
In a big blow, captain and Wanganui centenarian Peter Rowe has been ruled out after aggravating the calf injurywhich has been bothering him for the last two weeks.
It is the first time Rowe has been sidelined for Wanganui through injury since 2013.
Rowe's grafting and tireless work ethic in the loose forwards will be missed on the artificial Memorial Park turf, especially as Wairarapa-Bush's best hope is to play tight, structured rugby to try and remove Wanganui's speed out wide from the equation.
In a forwards reshuffle, No 8 Malaki Volau will shift into the coveted No 7 jumper, while Bryn Hudson moves to the back of the scrum and Fraser Hammond goes to openside, with Sam Madams starting at lock.
