Strong side for opening hitout
Manawatu have named 12 contracted players in their starting side to take on Wanganui in their preseason match at Cooks Garden tonight.
Coach Jeremy Cotter opted to give his core group a hit-out in Wanganui’s final warmup match before Wanganui head to Christchurch to challenge Canterbury for the Ranfurly Shield.
It was a different story last year when Cotter named a side featuring just two contracted players for the match with a side largely built on fringe players.
"It is mostly around mindset for us. It is an opportunity for the guys to bring something of their own." Turbos coach Jeremy Cotter
The Evergreens went on to win the messy encounter 32-15.
Cotter said this year he wanted to give those who have been signed a chance to play together earlier.
He hoped to see some the benefits of the work they have been putting into catch-and-pass and the contact area at wider training group sessions.
‘‘The guys have to show some work ethic, guys need to get up off the ground and work hard on and off the ball,’’ he said. ‘‘When we take the ball into contact we want to be able to recycle it quickly.
‘‘Tactically we have not done a lot and defensively we have not done much at all. It is mostly around mindset for us. It is an opportunity for the guys to bring something of their own.’’
Feilding first five-eighth Ben Wyness, College Old Boys back Patrick Tafili-reid and five-game Turbos loose forward Brice Henderson are the only uncontracted players to get starts.
Henderson is pushing for a Turbos recall after injuries wiped out his 2016 season.
Last year’s New Zealand Secondary Schools captain Brayden Iose will start at openside flanker, despite playing most of his rugby at No 8.
Cotter said the openside role was one worth exploring for Iose.
‘‘His greatest asset is his speed,’’ he said.
‘‘People get excited seeing him break off the back of a scrum, but I get excited seeing him in support play from an openside role and getting first to a breakdown.
‘‘I hate comparing players to other players, but he is physically in the same sort of mould as Ardie Savea who covers seven and eight.’’
The likes of centre Hamish Northcott and halfback Jamie Booth bring Super Rugby experience to the backline.
Te Rangatira Waitokia will start for Manawatu at fullback after lining up on the opposite side of the field last year.
Kenyan sevens star Willy Ambaka will play just his second 15s match in New Zealand after being named on the wing.
Prop Sean Paranihi will start at prop. The former Tu Toa student has re-signed with his home union after heading to Canterbury when he left school.
Paranihi, a 2016 New Zealand under-20s player, played five games for Counties Manukau on loan last year and was initially named in the Canterbury squad for their Ranfurly Shield defences before signing with Manawatu.
Hunter Prescott and Tuki Raimona join Paranihi in the front row, while Tom Parsons and Liam Hallam-eames start at lock and Harrison Brewer at No 8.
Of the 32 contracted Turbos, 18 are unavailable - seven injured (Newton Tudreu, Nathan Tudreu, Jade Te Rure, Jason Emery, Fraser Armstrong, Sione Asi and Travis Taylor), one rested (Ambrose Curtis), one with university exams (Tim Cadwallader) and nine with All Blacks, New Zealand Maori or Super Rugby
commitments (Aaron Smith, Ngani Laumape, Nehe Milnerskudder, Otere Black, Kayne Hammington, Heiden Bedwellcurtis, Jackson Hemopo, Antonio Kiri Kiri and Michael Alaalatoa).
Others not considered with injuries include Lewis Marshall and Tom Hughes.