Wanganui to pull out stops to upset big boys

The new Wanganui sevens team will be looking to give the big boys a hurry up while holding off their fellow minnow teams when the Central Region Qualifying tournament gets underway in Palmerston North this morning.

Coach Tom Wells settled on his final squad of 12 for the tournament against the eight union teams from the Hurricanes region, plus Taranaki, who switched allegiance to the Chiefs at the end of last year.

Wanganui are in Pool B with Taranaki and Poverty Bay.

Pool A consists of Wellington, Horowhenua-Kapiti and East Coast, while Pool C is Manawatu, Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa-Bush.

Acting Wanganui chief executive JB Phillips wondered about Taranaki's presence in the Central sevens given their change of allegiance north, although a number of Taranaki age grade representative teams still play in central tournaments.

In any case, the top five teams from the Central tournament, being played at Massey University, will qualify for the National Tournament in Rotorua on January 17-18.

"You're effectively battling for that fifth place," said Phillips, as the top four positions are likely to be filled by the ITM Cup unions.

The wider-Wanganui team played a warmup tournament in Matamata last weekend.

They won three of five games, with both their losses against the College Rifles side, who went on to win the final against the Counties Manukau sevens team.

The status of three of the Wanganui team had to be confirmed, although they are all very much local products.

Ben Whale (Harbour club in Otago), Brett Illston (Feilding Old Boys Oroua in Manawatu) were given permission to wear Wanganui colours after they came back and played for Taihape and Utiku Old Boys respectively in the Wanganui club sevens in November.

Dispensation to play has also been given to schoolboy Jona Nareki (Wanganui City College).

None of Utiku's Fijian contingent - Samu Kubunavanua, Michael Nabuliwaqa, Semi Radradra and Malakai Volau - will play as JB Phillips said they have returned home after the winter season.

Wanganui's first game will be against Taranaki at 10.20am, followed by Poverty Bay at 11.40am.

They will then play a crossover game at 2pm, before the semifinals are held to decide who finishes 1-4 and 5-8.

The team
Ben Whale (Harbour, Otago); Kieran Hussey (Border); Tremaine Gilbert (Taihape); Jona Nareki (Wanganui City College); Dane Whale (Taihape); Chris Hansen (captain, Utiku OB); Kameli Kuruyabaki (Pirates); Clive Stowers (Pirates); Jaye Flaws (Taihape); Ace Malo (Kaierau); Brett Illston (Feilding Old Boys Oroua, Manawatu); Moli Sagapolutele (Marton). Non-playing travelling reserve: Taylor Kirkwood (Kaierau).
Coach: Tom Wells (Taihape); Manager, Gareth Hagan (Hunterville)