Ruapehu will have a strong influence on both sides of the paddock in Ohakune today as the locals will get to cheer on their home town boys in Steelform Wanganui colours.
The warm-up game for the Pink Batts Heartland Championship against NZ Army sees the soldiers fronting with two Waiouru players who have represented Wanganui and will now face 11 of their Premier club championship winning teammates.
Second five Logan Vaughan and lock Sonny Woodmass helped Ruapehu lift the title last Saturday and both would have had close selection chances in the final 26-man Wanganui team.
Vaughan was a 2006 NZ Heartland representative, playing 18 times for Wanganui in 2006-7 before being posted overseas.
Woodmass, who transferred from Linton to Waiouru this year, was in the wider Wanganui squad which beat Wairarapa-Bush 39-20 at Cooks Gardens in July, but missed the final cut.
Facing a big campaign to regain the Meads Cup and coming out of training camp at a cold Waiouru, coach Karl Hoskin was pleased the army had been so accommodating about moving the match to Rochfort Park.
It is a welcome bonus for all the local players who won't face their usual long haul travel home.
"Ruapehu has always been a big part of Wanganui rugby but they've been a bit left out," said Hoskin. "It's a thank you for the community as well."
Talking points out of Wanganui's starting XV today will be how the midfield combination of Manawatu loan centre Jason Temara links with Border's Fijian wingers Sailosi Nagicu and Aaron Yadiga all newcomers.
The inside backs are settled with Ruapehu's nine-game second-five Pehira Huwyler linking with the Kaierau halves of Areta Lama (13 games) and Josh Edwards (31 games).
An early indicator, Marist workhorse Bradley Graham lands the blindside flanker position ahead of Ruapehu's Andrew Evans, although with only two specialist locks in Nick Cranston and Sam Madams, Evans' utility value sees him an integral part of the plans.
Four of Ruapehu's dominant forward pack make the run-out side with only Karl Parker yet to play a first-class game.
They will be led by 2012 NZ Heartland skipper Peter Rowe.
The referee for today is Auckland's Hamish Walker and kick-off is at 2.30pm.
Wanganui: Asalemo Malo; Aaron Yadiga, Jason Temara, Sailosi Nagicu; Pehira Huwyler; Areta Lama; Josh Edwards; Lasa Ulukuta; Peter Rowe (c), Sam Madams, Nick Cranston, Bradley Graham; Shaun McDonough, Karl Parker, Vaan Rauhina. Reserves: Backs: Lindsay Horrocks, Tom Wells, Zyon Hekenui, Soonalote Tauailoto, Robert Hughes. Forwards: Roman Tutauha, Kim McNaught, Lucas Puts, Doug Horrocks, Jason Hughes, Andrew Evans.
NZ Army: Matthew Anker (Burnham), Stuart Vandenberg (Linton), Taniela Tali (Burnham), Darren Saunders-May (Linton), Logan Vaughan (Waiouru), Keelan Poi (Linton), Grant Robson (Linton), Jimmy Bergan (Linton), Tainui Woodmass (Linton), Sonny Woodmass (Waiouru), Cassey Lowe (Linton), Cameron Wright (Papakura), Simon Peffers (Linton), Sam Gouk (Burnham). Reserves: Junior Makapelu, Matthew Cressey, Tavita Talamaivao, Ben Gunn, Reece White, Phillip Le Lieve (all Linton), Tim Ewing-Jarvie, Barney Te Kani, Sonny Watson (all Burnham).