Wyness gets opportunity at No 10
Ben Wyness gets another chance to push his claims at first fiveeighth in Manawatu’s preseason match against Hawke’s Bay in Napier on Saturday.
The Feilding No 10, who has a short-term contract with the Turbos, has been named to start his second preseason match this year.
Wyness is the province’s thirdranked No 10 behind Otere Black and Sam Malcolm, but has been putting the pressure on Malcolm.
Coach Jeremy Cotter said he has been impressed with what he has seen from Wyness.
‘‘He has got a good handle on the structures in place and on the strike moves,’’ he said.
‘‘It is just another chance for us to have a look at him. He does not have a full contract, but it is an opportunity for him to put his hand to for us to keep him on further.’’
Wyness is just one of five players in the starting XV who has not played provincial rugby along with centre Curtis Reid, wing Luther Hirini, lock Liam Hallameames and hooker Travis Taylor.
He is the only starter without a full contract.
The team is still without all its Super Rugby players along with prop Fraser Armstrong who has been called into the Hurricanes for their build-up for the Super Rugby semifinals.
Wing Nathan Tudreu remains out with his knee injury, while No 8 Valentino Mapapalangi has a hamstring niggle and Mapa Tuipulotu has a calf strain.
The injuries and unavailabilities mean Sam Tufuga (Varsity), Kepu Tuifua (Feilding) and Sam Healy (Varsity) have been called onto the reserves bench despite not training with the team.
Samoan international Kane Thompson has been named to start at No 8 and will run the lineouts, while Heiden Bedwell-curtis captains the team from blindside flanker.
Hooker Tim Cadwallader will start at tighthead prop.
Cotter expected a tough match, but wanted his side to display some quality attacking rugby.
‘‘We still want guys to play with intent. We understand that we are going to make mistakes, but as we have said all along mistakes from endeavour are OK.
‘‘I would to see some evidence of the stuff we have been training some
of patterns and moves.’’
strike