Heat side a mix of stars and youth

‘‘"It's great to have youth included in the squad. Some of the ladies have got a few international caps as well, so it's great to mix them in with the new ones. It's definitely a big step up from club rugby to the national competition, but we can't wait for the Farah Palmer Cup to get underway.’’

Thirteen new caps are in the Counties Manukau Heat squad named for women’s national provincial rugby championship.

The squad was finalised by head coach Davida White and assistant coach Josh Levi four days out from the Heats opener against Waikato in Hamilton on Saturday

It’s composed of players from Ardmore Marist and Manurewa and as well as 13 new caps feature a number of Black Ferns and New Zealand Sevens representatives.

Levi says the squad is great mix of experience and youth.

‘‘We even have a couple of ladies who are still at high school or have only just finished high school,’’ he says.

‘‘It’s great to have youth included in the squad. Some of the ladies have got a few international caps as well, so it’s great to mix them in with the new ones. It’s definitely a big step up from club rugby to the national competition, but we can’t wait for the Farah Palmer Cup to get underway.’’

The championship honour Black Fern and World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Farah Palmer who played 35 tests for the Black Ferns.

The Heat beat Bay of Plenty 50-0 win in their final warm up in Katikati on Sunday.

The match, saw Renee Wickcliffe score four first half tries with Leilani Perese, Sharnita Woodman, Te Kura Ngata- Aerengamate, Yuki Ono and Langi Veanu adding to the tally.

And in men’s rugby, the Counties Steelers play Samoa A at ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe on Friday at 6.30pm. At stake will be the Peter Fatialofa Trophy, in honour of the late Manu Samoa captained who played 17 games for Counties. Coach Darryl Suasua says coming to grips with the new tackle ball laws which will be used in the Mitre 10 Cup will be the most important aspect of the game for his team.