Club rugby season kicks off
The 2017 Tasman premier club rugby season kicks off on Saturday with all six Nelson Bays club sides boasting stronger lineups than last year with a number of star college players being introduced to senior rugby for the first time. rugby reporter Wayne Martin runs the rule over each squad.
In Saturday’s opening round, defending champions Wanderers host Kahurangi at Brightwater, Nelson are at home to Stoke at Neale Park and Marist meet Waimea Old Boys at Tahunanui. All three games kick off at 3pm. KAHURANGI Forwards - Eden Beech, Harry Curtis, Aiden Graham, Qori Gucake, Brock Kaahu, Alex Hannah, Stephen Hughes, Kane Mcleod, Miro Mitchell, Luke Nicholson, Manu Parkin, Thomas Robinson, Ben Sadrugu, Tim Sail, Paea Taulanga, Dan Thomas; backs - Andy Beatson, Aaron Coe, Hana Corbett-Burrows, Jakob Dabinett, Kenny Eggers, Victor Kelly, Andrew Knewstubb, Vito Lammers, Will Schmetz, Stein Schreiber, Ben Snowden, Culainn Stringer.
Coach - Chris Binns; assistants: Logan Balsom and Brendan Smith.
Prospects - Mike Wells aside, Kahurangi have retained a lot of key players which will again make them tough to beat.
Key player - NZ sevens player Andrew Knewstubb.
Players to watch - Promising young prop Eden Beech and former Counties halfback Aaron Coe. MARIST Forwards - Luke Collier, Ratu Vugakoto, Teu Sami, Anthony Naylor, Brett Williams, Patrick McDougall, Tahae Taia, Julius Togafau, Ryan Dafel, Tim Dallison, James McDougall, Kasima Sami, Shannon Frizell, Te Puoho Stevens, Misaele Tabua, Maleli Lovainadi, Nash Thornley, Tyler McKinnon-Stevenson; backs - Shawn Begg, Cleve Barrell, Paul O’Regan, Cayden Edwards, Sam Briggs, James Hawkey, Liam Boshoff, Richard Tau’alupe, Jonni Nukunuku, Jamie Spowart, Lote Saulekaleka, Isaac Laga, Connor Karena, Tai Moenoa, Jono Mounsey. Coach - Ant Holder. Prospects - Last year’s beaten finalists will again be expected to feature among the leading contenders during play-off time. NELSON Forwards - Brendan Asomua Goodman, Ethan Blackadder, Willis Scott, David Egelstaff, Shane Grieve, Inoke Latu, Isaiah Miller, Jayden Pyers, Dylan Turnbull, Jay Win, Christian Tupuola, Dylan Beaumont, Riley Burrows, James Hewlett, Isaac Misinale, Louis Nel, Brett Newcombe, Bailey Whitnall, Matthew McClunie, Leonard Mason, Nathan Gargiulo, Quentin Harwood; backs - Trey Goldsworthy, Navarre Harbour, Willy Havili, Samuel Norton, Jayden Pedersen, Jackson Pugh, Blair Roach, Murray Roeske, Tima Faingaanuku, Nick Foxley, Andrew Goodman, Jackson Harvey, Chris Kerslake, Cameron Mitchell, Andrew Norton-Taylor, Amos Pogia, Alexander Roberts, Zack Snape, Asher Wells, Taine Young, Kim Bateman, Viliami Akauola, Vailua Banse.
Coaches: Kade Heke, Chris Pugh, Grant Crossett and Nathan Gargulio.
Prospects - Disappointed to lose in last year’s semifinals but the Tasman Trophy champions have another strong squad with exciting potential.
Key players: Ethan Blackadder, Brendon AsomuaGoodman, Shane Grieve, Willis Scott, Amos Pogia and Jackson Harvey.
Players to watch: Isaiah Miller, Sosefo Vaka, Willy Havili and Asher Wells. STOKE Forwards - Tom Hill, Kendal Hodgson, Villiami Isene, Tyler Kearns, Brad Hyde, Pari Pari Parkinson, Trent Knapp, Daniel Dwyer, Sam Archibald, Nick Max, Foti Siaki, Leigh Thompson, Connor Higgins, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta; backs - Sam Parkes, Mike Coster, Bailey McQuade, Jake Curtis, Matt Soper, Rupena Parkinson, Paddy Miller-Leaf, Tomas Aoake, Matt Gains, Sam Chamberlain, Chris Little. Coach - Graham Pitman. Prospects - Plenty of fresh young talent guaranteed to generate real excitement under new coach Graham Pitman.
Key players - Former North Harbour No 8 Leigh Thompson and Tasman sevens player Sam Chamberlain.
Player to watch - Ex-Warriors under-20 winger Tomas Aoake. WAIMEAOLD BOYS Forwards - Marc Belvedere, Cailin Gibson, Blair Princep, Kataleimoni Halaena, Tommy Allen, Jake McLaughlin, Leight McBridie, Limeke Cagialau, Ben Coman, Todd Strawbridge, Jeff Lepa, Vainga Fillimdevlie, Sosaia Tangitau, Ben Eder, Dan Hytongue, Jeremy Lordan, Chris Mason; backs - Jack Grooby, Kaide Whiting, Tony Ahoafi, James Lash, Eli Kneepkins, Connor Trathen, Michael Stringer,
Prospects - Much stronger squad than last season so should be applying the pressure right from the start.
Key players - Co-captain James Lash is back to help organise the show and Eli Kneepkins is a prolific points scorer.
Player to watch - Prop Kataleimoni Halaena. WANDERERS Forwards - Dan Perrin, Dan McLachlan, Drew Petelo, Gus Gibbens, Paki Matangi, Sam Brooks, Steve Soper, Tyler Chamberlain, Willy Hamilton, Jacobus De Kock, Isaiah Leach, Jaden Roeske, Conrad Malietoa, Tone Ng Shiu, Ethan Reuben, Sam Liebezeit; backs - Mitch Neal, Tyler Power, Bobby Palmer, Jake Berthelsen, Jayden Woolley, Fletcher Matthews, Jesse Pitman, Sebastian Caqueous, Sione Holani, Morne Van de Berg, Trael Joass, Riley Johnston, Kahu Tamatea. Coach - Sam Gibbens Prospects - A similar squad to last season, with the return of some key players from injury, suggests the defending champions could again be the team to beat.
Key players - Attacking catalyst Jesse Pitman and NZ sevens representatives Trael Joass and Tone NgShiu.
Player to watch - Exciting young South African loose forward Jacobus De Kock.