Drizzly Ashburton conditions could take edge off Wanganui attack
THE injury concerns in the Steelform Wanganui loose forwards have continued with reserve Malakai Volau the latest casualty ahead of today's Meads Cup semifinal in the Pink Batts Heartland Championship in Ashburton.
The 103kg No8/flanker was ruled out with injury yesterday, with Kieran Hussey returning to the team on thebench, as he did last weekend when captain Peter Rowe was hurt. Starting loosies Rowe, Fraser Hammond and Bryn Hudson have all worked through leg injuries during the campaign.
Meanwhile, Mid Canterbury have named a stable line-up, with the starting XV having only two changes from the team that defeated Wanganui at Cooks Gardens deep in injury time on August 29. The reserve prop and loose forward positions remain bracketed.
Second-five Nete Caucau will have to be watched close to the line after he scored two tries at Cooks Gardens, including the heartbreaking matchwinner, over three minutes after the scoreboard reached zero time remaining.
A big concern is that the Ashburton Showgrounds are likely to turn on a typical Canterbury wet-weather day, which will be to Wanganui's detriment, with their speed and attacking prowess.
The MetService forecasts light rain and a temperature of 8C, with an easterly breeze around the 2.30pm kick-off , despite being four degrees warmer and dry in the early hours of the morning.
Wanganui have struggled in muddy games, as highlighted by their 17-17 draw with King Country on September 19 at Cooks Gardens.
Nine of this team were also in the Wanganui side that lost 30-14 in similar drizzling conditions down in Ashburton last September, although of the current starting backline, only halfback Lindsay Horrocks retains his original place. Wanganui were outscored just two tries to one that day, but the goalkicking of Murray Williams and Mid Canterbury's ability to capitalise on mistakes and grind their opposition down were the determining factors.
Today also is the last chance for Wanganui players to press for selection in the New Zealand Heartland XV, before the team is announced on Wednesday.
The Heartland XV will play NZ Marist on November 7, before November 10 and 13 games against the Australian Barbarians - a team chosen from players in the National Rugby Championship who do not have Super Rugby contracts.
-The Mid Canterbury team is
1. Mark Andrew; 2. Jackson Donlan; 3. Tama Tuirirangi; 4. Eric Duff; 5. Adam Ross; 6. Tevita Ula; 7. Seta Koroitamana; 8. Jon Dampney (c); 9. Will Mackenzie; 10. Murray Williams; 11. Gideon Lambrechts; 12. Nete Caucau; 13. Matt Thatcher; 14. Ashton Tuck; 15. Andrew Letham.
Reserves - 16. James Annabell; 17. Adam Williamson/Simon Fleetwood; 18. Maikeli Mudu; 19. Sam Watt/Logan Bonnington; 20. Mavae Tomasi; 21. Fa'aitu Tuamoheloa; 21. Ewen Scott.
