Time to shine for Wanganui hopefuls

RARE CHANCE: With some of the veterans left at home, young Wanganui players like Kane Tamou will have a chance to impress in Palmerston North tomorrow night.PHOTOS/FILE

THEY are the young players or the next cabs-off-the-rank for selection in the Heartland Championship, but the Steelform Wanganui squad heading to Palmerston North tomorrow can expect a full-strength opposition.

Coach Jason Caskey's inaugural 27-man squad for 2015 had been scheduled to play two 40 minute half-games against Wairarapa Bush and Manawatu B selections.

Now, Caskey said the Manawatu side had pulled out through lack of numbers.

Therefore, they will face Wairarapa Bush in an 80 minute match, probably with four quarters, and other than lacking any outside imports, it is likely to be the strongest Bush team possible.

"I've told the guys to be prepared that they may be really organised," said Caskey, who has taken his youth-orientated squad for two training runs.

"They'll be a bit more organised as this is the lead-in for the Ranfurly Shield game."

Wairarapa Bush challenge Hawkes Bay for the shield at McLean Park on July 10.

In comparison, Caskey is still experimenting, leaving at least six Wanganui veterans likely to make up the core of his Heartland Championship team at home, while others like halfback Lindsay Horrocks have been given time to complete their injury recovery.

Of the 22 players selected for the Heartland game with Wairarapa Bush on October 5 last year, only six of them will play in this match - William Short, Jaye Flaws, Samu Kubunavanua, Kamipeli Latu, Sam Madams and Roman Tutauha.

"It's more about looking at what the backups are - the next one or two levels below," Caskey said.

A guy who could put his hand up is Ratana halfback Kane Tamou.

Having been a step behind Horrocks and Short, Tamou caught Caskey's eye playing for the Wanganui Development team last year as he likes a halfback who can run about the big guys when needed.

Another prospect is Ruapehu's Gabriel Hakaraia, the hooker who has attended IRANZ and could be the Premier team rake in any Wanganui club other than Ruapehu, given the incumbent Tutauha has been in such strong form.

It is a game like this where Caskey wants to see what the guys picked from the Senior club grade, specifically Ngamatapouri's loose forward Bryn Hudson, can bring tomorrow.

Hudson missed the Town vs Country trial with a calf injury and while he dominated as a Taranaki import player for Wanganui last year, four months of Senior games against youth and ageing opposition is not as intensive.

"Having a few boys, in Senior, it's going up a couple of steps," said Caskey."Guys like Bryn could get away with doing less than they should do."

The new face being given a chance is the 19-year-old lock Liam Mitchell, from Manawatu's Te Kawau club.

While the teenager has the height, there is not as much bulk in proportion, while Caskey is in the market for a good lock but also needs weight in the tight five behind Wanganui's smaller props.

It is a good 110kg player who can stop the pack being pushed around and bullied, he said.

"It's whether [Mitchell] can do the mix we're looking for.

"He's pretty skilled, I've no doubt about that.

"He may tick all the boxes - it's an opportunity for him."

The WRFU has been working to confirm that the road disruption caused by the weekend's flooding will not prevent the squad from making the journey.

Caskey and assistant coach Marty McGrath are confident the team's seven Ruapehu players will be able to travel through Waiouru and down State Highway 1 to Palmerston North.

Kickoff is at 6.30pm.

The Wanganui team is

Backs: Michael Nabuliwaqa (Utiku OB), Zyon Hekenui (Ruapehu), Poasa Waqanibau (Border), Kameli Kuruyabaki (Kaierau), Jaye Flaws (Taihape), Areta Lama (Kaierau), Izzi Baleitavuku (Ngamatapouri), Troy Brown (Ruapehu), Samu Kubunavanua (Utiku OB), Kane Tamou (Ratana), William Short (Ruapehu), Brett Nicholls (Taihape), Renato Tikoilosolomone (Border).

Forwards: Kieran Hussey (Border), Bobo Ulukuta (Border), Bryn Hudson (Ngamatapouri), Apenisa Ratugolea (Ngamatapouri), Jackson Campbell (Ruapehu), Malakai Volou (Utiku OB), Sam Madams (Border), Liam Mitchell (Te Kawau, Manawatu), Kamipeli Latu (Border), Manu Herring (Marist), Brett Turner (Pirates), Tawhio Gupwell (Ruapehu), Gabriel Hakaraia (Ruapehu), Roman Tutauha (Ruapehu).