Players vie for place in Waikato team
Selectors are just a few days away from announcing the Waikato women’s rugby team to contest this year’s national provincial championship.
The Farah Palmer Cup kicks off on September 2 when the Waikato team will head south to play Tasman, one of two new teams to enter the competition.
The other new side will be Hawke’s Bay. Other teams included last year’s championship winner, Counties Manukau as well as Wellington, Manawatu, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and Auckland. There will be seven games plus a semi-final and final on October 28.
Waikato coach Wayne Max- well held the second and final trial match to select his 25-player squad at Bedford Park in Matamata on Sunday.
The initial trial was held in Hamilton on July 9.
‘‘I thought the trial on Sunday went well and both teams were even. It was much better than the first trial, there was a lot more continuity and flow to the game.
‘‘So from here we go to select a squad of 25 players which we’ll announce on Friday,’’ Maxwell said.
There would also be a development squad, operating under the provincial team, to give players more game time during August and September.
‘‘It’ll be good for players who haven’t had much game time.
‘‘We’ve got a lot of talented players and it would be ideal to put them into a training camp over that time.’’
Maxwell said coaches would be available to help develop those players.
About five top players likely to be in the Waikato team will also be part of the Black Ferns rugby team to contest the Rugby World Cup in Ireland.
‘‘They head away this weekend but the World Cup finishes in early September so we’ll have our players back for the second round of the national provincial championship.
‘‘Depending on their injuries and condition, we’ll bring them back into the squad training.’’
When it came to positions, the Waikato had plenty of women who could play in the loose forward role with quality running and passing skills.
‘‘What we do struggle with is height and size, especially for locks and front-row players. In the past we’ve had to make sure players have been technically sound in those key positions.
‘‘A few 6-ft locks would be great.’’
Maxwell said the players understood they would have to compete for their positions in the starting 22-player team each week of the competition.
They will have to commit to a rigorous training regime that required a lot of off-field work in their own time. Specialist coaches would be available to help with fit- ness, health and nutrition planning.
Maxwell confirmed none of the players in the Waikato provincial women’s team would be paid, unlike their male counterparts.
‘‘Not only do they not get paid but they actually have to pay a fee, which does help with the basics like getting their kit for the season, off-field planning and training.
‘‘They are really playing for the love of the game. A lot of these women have families to think about as well.
‘‘Having said that I believe women have got a lot more passion and commitment to making it work.
‘‘We are lucky to have them,’’ Maxwell said.