Turbos call in reinforcements
The Turbos have called in the calvary, promoting three Super Rugby players back to their starting side for their first home match of the season against Southland tonight.
Captain Callum Gibbins and his Hurricanes teammates prop Chris Eves and first five-eighth Otere Black were all on the bench for Manawatu in their season opener against Northland last Friday.
The trio’s impact late in the second half was a big factor in the side pulling off and 34-27 win late in the game.
Coach Jeremy Cotter hoped the addition of the experienced players would bring the same level of impact out of the gate.
Another to impress from the bench, No 8 Valentino Mapapalangi has also been promoted to the starting side.
Making way for the quartet are Antonio Kiri Kiri, Tom Parsons,
"We are looking for continuity so now is probably not the time to be chopping and changing. We need to allow time for our guys to fix things." Jeremy Cotter
Fraser Armstrong and Sam Malcolm, who all drop to the bench.
In a reshuffled loose forward trio, Heiden Bedwell-curtis moves from No 8 to blindside flanker to make way for Mapapalangi and Jackson Hemopo moves from the side of the scrum to lock.
There are two different players in the 23 from last weekend in Canadian prop Jake Ilnicki and halfback Kayne Hammington.
Ilnicki was initially named on the bench against Northland, but his international clearance did not come through on time.
That clearance has now been sorted, so he takes the place of Tuki Raimona on the bench.
After struggling at lineout time last week, Cotter has resisted the temptation to make a change at hooker.
The Turbos lost five lineouts against Northland, mainly down to poor throws. Starter Tim Cadwallader was pulled at halftime, but they did not get much better without him in the second 40 minutes.
Cotter said he was confident Cadwallader would have his throws on target tonight.
‘‘The flight of the ball was good, the throws were just a bit high and that is fixable,’’ he said. ‘‘[Cadwallader] was outstanding around the field and contributed hugely on defence, so he deserves another shot.
‘‘We are looking for continuity so now is probably not the time to be chopping and changing. We need to allow time for our guys to fix things.’’
Cotter has also opted to retain Toby Morland at halfback despite a strong showing from Jamie Booth off the pine.
Booth has lost his place on the bench with Hammington coming into the side.
‘‘We have got three halfbacks with virtually nothing between them,’’ Cotter said. ‘‘It is unfortunate for Jamie. He did really well when he came on [against Northland], but Kayne needs a run as well. We are looking to be reasonably settled in some areas and Toby offers good leadership and has been in good form.’’
Cotter had a fully fit squad to choose from except wing Nathan Tudreu, who was not considered
as he attempts to get back to full fitness after recovering from a knee injury.
Southland will be looking for their first win of the season after falling to Otago 40-17.
They led the game 12-0 at one stage, but were blown away in the second half.
The long-range kicking of Wharenui Hawera could be lethal if the game is tight.