Hemopo craves game time
There is a certain irony that Manawatu¯ forward Jackson Hemopo will be playing to impress at Blenheim tomorrow with the All Blacks World Cup squad announcement pending next week
That’s because on the other side, Tasman’s Liam Squire, like Hemopo also out of Palmerston North Boys’ High School, is expected to put his hand up for Japan if he gets through this game unscathed, possibly at Hemopo’s expense.
Hemopo, though, is just glad to be starting a game for a change after only an 11-minute cameo at Eden Park last Saturday.
‘‘My last start was in the quarterfinals of Super Rugby,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve only played 25 to 35 minutes in total since then.
‘‘I’ve been struggling with a bit of a shoulder injury through the Super Rugby season and it has given me time to get that right. I’m sure it will be sweet. Now, I just want to go out and get my lungs going.’’
He has been prescribed a diet by the All Blacks’ coaches of only 40 minutes tomorrow.
Hemopo isn’t certain where things are going All Blacks-wise and said it was a waiting game.
‘‘I’m not sure whether they see me as a lock or a six. I’ve been playing more as a lock this year.’’
Next year, the 25-year-old embarks on his one-year-and-a-bit contract with Mitsubishi Dynoboars in Japan, playing virtually two seasons in one.
After that he said if he was enjoying it he might stay on, but doesn’t rule out coming back and trying for the All Blacks again.
Meanwhile, the Turbos seem almost jinxed when it comes to potential fullbacks. The latest to go down is wing-fullback Ben Werthmuller, with a knee injury, yet another to succumb at training.
Ben Wyness was totally assured on debut in the 15 jersey against Taranaki only to wrench his troubled ankle, while the equally confident swingman, Sam Malcolm, still has a hamstring strain. Andre Taylor would have been at fullback but for his groin injury, which might have repaired in time for next Friday’s Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago.
So wearing No 15 will be youngster Drew Wild, a NZ under-20s candidate for next year, and taking Werthmuller’s wing spot will be the equally talented threequarter Josiah Maraku.
Also ruled out again was centre Rob Thompson, with his calf strain.
Meanwhile, Old Boys-marist leader Rhys Pedersen will be the 10th player to make his debut this season, starting in the vexed No 7 position ahead of Johnny Galloway. It has been a long injuryridden highway for Pedersen to finally make it all the way from Dannevirke, as did Galloway, who has a hamstring strain.
As for Tasman, the Turbos needed to fasten their seatbelts on their flight to Blenheim via Auckland today because they can expect turbulence from the home hybrids at Lansdowne Park.
It might almost be an away game in Marlborough for the Nelson-based consortium, but they haven’t shown any bus lag in past clashes with Manawatu¯ there. Tasman have bolted home in all three – 43-0 in 2006, 33-10 in 2007 and 57-14 in 2013.
Tasman was one of four provinces, including Manawatu¯ , under the gun from Steve Tew and the New Zealand Rugby Union in 2009 and time has shown the folly of that attempted cull.
Now, Tasman appear to be the most efficient team on the NPC beltway this year, having usurped big brothers Canterbury 23-8 at Christchurch a week after dousing Wellington 45-8 at Blenheim. As Hemopo said, they look ‘‘stacked up’’ with at least 20 Super players on their squad roster. ‘‘It will be a pretty good challenge for us.’’
The Turbos trained on firm footing at the Sport and Rugby Institute yesterday, with All Black Ngani Laumape in the thick of it, until another icy blizzard arrived.
In other changes from the loss to Taranaki, big Sione Tu’ipulotu starts at No 8 in place of Braydon Iose and back in the reserves after a long rehabilitation is giant prop Sione ‘‘Panda’’ Asi in place of Paulo Leleisiuao (throat illness). First-five Stewart Cruden will make his debut off the bench.
The Turbos need to reduce errors, must drop 109-kilogram wing Leicester Fainga’anuku and get more steel in their set play if they are to rid themselves of the Lansdowne bogey and not think ahead to the Ranfurly Shield joust.