Whanganui players in Vipers

Two Whanganui Boxon league club members have been selected for the Mid Central Vipers team for the NZRL National Premiership.

Prop Gordon Karaitiana has retained his place in the 30-man squad, and he is joined by Haze Reweti, who was a trainer with the team last year and can cover the halves, fullback and hooker.

The team is guided by new coach Dion Te Ahu from Hawkes Bay.

The Vipers finished with a 2-4 record in the seven-team premiership last year.

Te Ahu said Reweti is among the youth movement in the squad, along with the Hawke's Bay's Karnak Heremia and Tione Hubbard, as they were "all making an outstanding contribution to their teams this year".

"We have our pre-season camps start in early August in Wanganui, with a pre-season game on August 16 versus Wellington Orcas, which will give us a clear indication on where we are at before the season starts.

"Wellington are known for their big forward pack and quick outside backs so it will be a great test to see what we can expect from our team."

The Vipers' first game in the premiership will be against Northland on August 29, being held at an Auckland venue.