Tough at the top

Malakai Volau will start at No8 ahead of Bryn Hudson as competition heats up for Wanganui's starting jerseys to play South Canterbury tomorrow.

It was a hard selection week for Steelform Wanganui coach Jason Caskey, in the best way possible.

While the team's injury concerns continue with possible changes to the wing three quarters coming out of last night's training, a number of players took their chance under the rotation policy last weekend against East Coast to make strong cases for permanent starting berths heading into this weekend's top of the table Mitre 10 Heartland Championship clash with South Canterbury.

A rematch of the 2015 Meads Cup final in Timaru, the game at Cooks Gardens will see the core group of ten Wanganui players backing up from the game last October, although a further three would have been in the frame tomorrow if not for injuries and fitness concerns.

At press time, this meant Wanganui would have none of the four players starting who made the Sky TV 'Try of the Year' from that match, as the two who are still with the union - Michael Nabuliwaqe and Samu Kubunavanua - have been on the mend.

However, Caskey said Kubunavanua could well return tomorrow as last weekend's double tryscorer Simon Dibben is the latest winger to have leg problems, with his AC joint not 100 per cent.

The toughest call was at first-five, with Caskey opting to go ahead and give Irish under-20 international Steve Crosbie the coveted No10 jersey back, moving Dane Whale to the
bench after running the cutter for the last three weeks.

"Dane's been playing well, but Steve might be deserving the chance to have the start and see if he offers more. I don't know, we'll have to see," Caskey said.

With Malakai Volau also back from injury, he regains the No8 jumper from Bryn Hudson, who was determined in Ruatoria for his first match in well over a month.

"To be fair, Bryn was probably lucky to get the start last week," Caskey said.

"He's got to get his fitness up to where he needs to be."

Having both Volau and Hudson available means Renato Tikoisolomone goes down to join Kieran Hussey for a trot in the Development XV with competition for loose forward spots just as tight as first-five.

"Week by week, somebody will be going [down], to get a run, while we can [afford it]."

Captain Peter Rowe and halfback Lindsay Horrocks also return to their customary starting positions for Jamie Hughes and Kane Tamou, although the understudies performed well against East Coast and Caskey said it proved the "ideal situation" to build them up should injuries occur later.

After consecutive 74-point scorelines against the West and East Coast teams, Wanganui is expecting a big step up in ability for their opposition tomorrow, even if the 2015 runnersup are going through a rebuilding phase themselves.

Similar to Wanganui losing the likes of Stephen Perofeta and Poasa Waqanibau to Mitre 10 Cup unions, South Canterbury's high profile season saw classy fullback Paula Fifita (Auckland), winger Erenimo Tau (Northland), hooker Sione Vea (Christchurch) and brother Sam Vea (Dunedin) all depart.

However, regulars like NZ Heartland prop Timaru Tafa, No8 and captain Kieran Coll, feisty halfback Nick Annear and goal kicking first-five Zac Southon are to be respected.

They have their own international player in flanker John Dyer, the Fijian who played club rugby in Christchurch.

"It will test us, that's for sure," said Caskey.

"They've been in the same boat themselves."

South Canterbury barely held off a resurgent Buller 28-26 in their opening game at home, but had a big 58-20 win over West Coast on the trip to Greymouth last Saturday.

Kickoff is 2.30pm.

The curtain raiser match will be Wanganui Toyota Development XV taking on the Wellington Centurions.

The teams are:
Wanganui
1. Tietie Tuimauga; 2. Roman Tutauha; 3. Viki Tofa; 4. Campbell Hart; 5. Gavin Thornbury; 6. Tremaine Gilbert; 7. Peter Rowe (c); 8. Malakai Volau; 9. Lindsay Horrocks; 10. Steve Crosbie; 11. Te Rangatira Waitokia; 12. Kameli Kuruyabaki; 13. Craig Clare; 14. Simon Dibben; 15. Ace Malo.
Reserves - Forwards: 16. Cole Baldwin; 17. Hamish Mellow; 18. Bryn Hudson; 19. Jamie Hughes. Backs: 20. Kane Tamou; 21. Cameron Crowley; 22. Dane Whale.

South Canterbury
1. Viliame Logavatu; 2. Junior Faavae; 3. Timaru Tafa; 4. Jake Mills; 5. Will Joines; 6. John Dyer; 7. Nick Starchan; 8. Kieran Coll (c); 9. Nick Annear; 10. Zac Southen; 11. Mosese Aho; 12. Miles Medlicott; 13. Cameron Bailey; 14. Maxx Morris; 15. Hamish Strachan.
Reserves: 16. Jonny Andrews; 17. Conor McCormack; 18. Taione Ratu; 19. Matt Etheredge; 20. Willie Wright; 21. Waisale Leiroti; 22. Shay Moseby.