Wanganui to meet Saracens

BIG RESPONSIBILITIES: With injury and unavailablity, much is being asked of Zyon Hekenui at first-five for Wanganui.PHOTO/FILE

THERE is time and opportunity for an outside bolter to press claims for a starting berth in the Pink Batts Heartland championship when Steelform Wanganui finish their pre-season against Hawke's Bay Saracens tomorrow.

Key on the agenda will be the playmaking department, as despite seemingly having depth with four first fives initially chosen in the wider squad, it is the NZ Heartland Under-19 player Zyon Hekenui who has been shouldering the full burden.

After his surprise recall, veteran Denning Tyrell confirmed with coach Jason Caskey this week that he is unavailable for the Heartland campaign due to his work and family commitments.

Hurricanes Under-18 player Stephen Perofeta will have a game for Wanganui Collegiate that day, yet Caskey said they may still be able to give him a run.

However, the promising youngster will probably not play first five as he will have to receive dispensation to be part of the senior Wanganui team as a schoolboy player.

"We might give him 20 minutes in the second half," said Caskey.

So, with Areta Lama right to go this week but with caution after missing the game with Wanganui Development in Ohakune with his sore knee, it has all been on Hekenui to run the cutter while handling the goalkicking, and he was a little wayward with the latter up in the snow at Rochfort Park until his team started scoring beside the posts.

Having started the regular Tuesday and Thursday training sessions, Caskey was going to have his first look at Hawke's Bays' Trinity Spooner-Neera last night, after tough travel conditions also kept him away from Ohakune. The 20-year-old's goal kicking ability may become a necessary component for the team.

"We'll be having a bit of a look in the next few trainings. Whoever is kicking the best is getting the job."

It is a fortuitous opposition that Spooner-Neera will run out against in his first Wanganui colours, as he was bracketed in the Saracens team - the Development side of their union - when they faced the Manawatu Evergreens, basically the Turbos squad in drag, in Waipukurau in June.

Saracens handily beat the Evergreens 26-19, preventing them from getting out of the blocks until very late in the game.

"He might be handy, to pick a bit of information out of him," Caskey said of Spooner-Neera.

While a couple of the Saracens names are familiar to the Wanganui coach, it makes little difference what kind of lineup they will front with tomorrow.

"I'm not really worried, it's more about what we get out of the game and get sorted ourselves," Caskey said.

"There's still [Heartland] positions up for grabs.

"We didn't get a lot out of Saturday with the [weather] conditions playing the Development team.

"The opportunity is there for them." Caskey said he will defer to the visitors whether the match is played in two 40-minute halves or four 20-minute quarters.

In the forwards, injured No8 loose forward Bryn Hudson went for a jog on Tuesday, but will be rested again for this match with an eye to being fully fit for the following week.

After tomorrow's game, Caskey and his coaches will settle on their final 26-man squad for the Heartland campaign, which starts next weekend against Horowhenua Kapiti in Levin. The referee for tomorrow will be Gordon Ririnui. Kickoff is 2.30pm.