Tufuga gets chance to shine
Kirk Tufuga has been give a prime chance to prove he is up to provincial rugby standard after being named to start for the Manawatu Evergreens against the Hawke’s Bay Saracens in Waipukurau tonight.
The Varsity No 8 is one of three un-contracted players in the starting XV, along with first fiveeighth Ben Wyness and wing Patrick Tafili-reid. While the Turbos squad is almost fill, a couple of spots remain open.
Coach Jeremy Cotter said their requirement for depth meant players needed to use this match to prove they can handle the step up from club rugby. concussion, in one of just four changes in the starting XV.
Two players will don Manawatu’s green jersey this year after turning out for Hawke’s Bay in the same fixture last year in flanker George Macpherson and utility back Lewis Marshall.
Macpherson will be hoping to prove the Turbos need a second specialist openside flanker under contract with Antonio Kiri Kiri the only other in the squad.
Once again Brayden Iose will start at No 7 this week as they look to find his best position in the loose forwards.
Heiden Bedwell-curtis has also proven handy at openside flanker with the Crusaders this year, while Cotter said they had also been looking at Nathan Tweedy and Rhys Pedersen in club rugby.
Sione Asi has been named to start at prop, but is battling a niggling injury.
The Otago Boys’ High School star has rarely been seen on the field for club Kia Toa due to injuries, so will have plenty to prove.
Sam Malcolm has got the nod at halfback.
Cotter said they were looking at Malcolm as a dual first fivehalfback this year.
‘‘He has got a pretty tough road because we have signed both Kayne Hamington and Jamie Booth and also Otere Black and Jade Te Rure,’’ he said.
‘‘It is no secret that it is going to be pretty tough so Sam is going to have to be on top of his game. But having that ability to cover both positions is going to be an asset for him.’’
While Malcolm has not played halfback for the Turbos, he has played there for the Hurricanes Development XV.
Wing Nathan Tudreu has been given a chance to put his hand up for a spot in the midfield.
‘‘It is something that we need to look at,’’ Cotter said. ‘‘We have lost a bit in the midfield so we just need to know if we can cover that locally.
‘‘I remember back in 2014 the first game he played was against the Hurricanes in a three-way match and he played 12 there and played well. That is what put him on the radar in the first place.’’
He slots inside Hamish Northcott, while Kenyan Willy Ambaka joins Tafili-reid on the wings and Wanganui Heartland player of the year Te Rangatira Waitokia is at fullback. Most of the Turbos’ contracted group will be involved in the match aside from the Super Rugby contingent.
But Curtis Reid and Jamie Booth were not named due to a minor injuries, Newton Tudreu is still on the road to recovery from his knee injury and Travis Taylor is out for the season with his hip injury.