Ledua to inspire rep sevens team
The Manawatu sevens team will not lack inspiration for this weekend’s National Sevens title in Rotorua.
Sure, there is a major title on the line and a chance to impress the national coaches, but all of that will come secondary to playing for the memory of team-mate Maikeli Ledua.
The Fijian playmaker was in impressive form in his debut at the Central Region Sevens in early December and looked a good bet to crack the side for nationals.
But two days later he was killed in a car crash.
Coach Bertus Mulder said memories of Ledua would inspire the team.
‘‘We will think of him and how it has impacted us not only as players but in our personal lives,’’ he said.
‘‘It will be very sad and bittersweet.’’
New Zealand Sevens representative Antonio Kiri Kiri has been tasked with leading the side for the weekend.
He will be a key member of the forward pack along with former Turbos Brice Henderson and Jaxon Tagavaitau and impressive newcomer Reece White.
The backs feature former New Zealand Sevens player Jordan Bunce and Turbos halfback Jamie Booth.
Tamatoa Ropati has been named as Manawatu’s reserve if there is an injury before the tournament.
Mulder said it was good to have the experience of Booth in the side.
‘‘Like all halfbacks, he chats quite a bit. That is what we need from him this weekend. Communicating from the back in terms of our structure on defence. He has got a good pass on him so distributing the ball will also be quite important.’’
Wing Ben Werthmuller will also be one to watch.
Mulder was confident they had a team capable of taking out the national title.
‘‘We have a really good mixture in terms of our big ball carriers or flashy playmakers and two or three speedsters at the end,’’ he said. ‘‘I believe we have a squad that is good enough to win nationals. If you look at sevens over the past three years, any team can come out on top. It is about who believes the most and who gets the bounce of the ball.’’
But they have a tough route to even get out of pool play.
Manawatu paid the price for a second-half meltdown in their third-place playoff against Hawke’s Bay at the Central Region qualifiers in December.
That loss meant they ended up as the third seed in pool B rather than the second seed in pool A.
While they should handle South Canterbury with ease, they will need a win against either Northern Region surprise package and runners-up Northland or defending national champions Counties Manukau.