Poverty Bay Rugby is excited to name its an extended Heartland Training Squad for its upcoming camp and pre-season games featuring 13 players from the Lee Brothers Shield winning OBM team and lead by inspirational Pirates-GMC player Ken Houkamau.
Cairns said the decision to name an extended training squad came about due to a number of players putting their hand up for selection over the past few weeks. He said the competition among key positions cause some selection headaches but it’s a good problem to have.
“Every player will get an opportunity to play in the pre-season fixtures before we trim the squad to the Championship squad. Looking at current form, it’s going to be tough but it’s fantastic to see the depth of talent in our region.”
Another key feature of the squad is that there are no loan players, which was a commitment made to club players by both the Union and Cairns at the start of the season. Three Players of Origin are selected – Micaiah Torrance-Read, Jody Allen and Pomare Samupo – who will be used as required but will add a lot of experience and strength to an already exciting squad.
Something new to this team is the naming of three development players who are either still at school or Under 19 – Jordan McFarlane (GBHS), Ofa Tauatevalu (GBHS) and Chase Sheridan (Ngatapa). These three players will train with the team and could get the opportunity to feature in the Heartland Championship this season.
All players will get a run in the pre-season matches with the final Heartland Championship squad selected from those games. A Development team will also be playing a number of fixtures, including a game against NZ Marist Colts on the 10th August at MoreFM Rugby Park, which Heartland training squad members will be required to play if not selected in the preseason fixtures.
Pre-season fixtures:
- 10 August: Central Bay of Plenty (Whakarewarewa Rugby Club)
- 17 August: Hawke’s Bay Saracens (MoreFM Rugby Park, Gisborne)
Training starts Tuesday 23rd July at MoreFM Rugby Park for all players, except those who played in the final. They get a rest until Thursday 25th July.
FORWARDS
Toru Noanoa (Waikohu)
Campbell Chrisp (Ngatapa)
Lance Dickson (OBM)
Rikki Terekia (OBM)
Shayde Skudder (YMP)
Matekaeroa McGuire HSOB)
Semisi Akana (Ngatapa)
Myles Tawa (HSOB)
Ken Houkamau © (Pirates-GMC)
Juston Allen (OBM)
Jacob Cook (OBM)
Gabe Te Kani (OBM)
Morgan Reedy (OBM)
Willy Bollingford (Pirates-GMC)
Adrian Wyrill (OBM)
Fawn White (YMP)
Nicolas Carrizo (OBM)
Tamanui Hill (HSOB)
Jesse Kapene (YMP)
BACKS
Willy Grogan (OBM)
Mario Counsel (Waikohu)
Jacob Leaf (Pirates-GMC)
Kelvin Smith (Waikohu)
Jake Holmes (OBM)
Mark Atkins (OBM)
John Jones (OBM)
Reihana Wyllie (YMP)
Whaimotu Craft Chemis (YMP)
Te Peehi Fairlie (YMP)
Matt Raleigh (Ngatapa)
Corey Love (HSOB)
Nathan Rangihuna (YMP)
Scott McKinley (OBM)
Andrew Tauatevalu (HSOB)
Ethine Reeves (Waikohu)
PLAYERS OF ORIGIN
Micaiah Torrance-Read (Taranaki)
Jody Allen (Hawke’s Bay)
Pomare Samupo (Taranaki)
DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS
Jordan McFarlane (GBHS)
Chase Sheridan (Ngatapa)
Ofa Tauatevalu (GBHS)
NOT CONSIDERED DUE TO INJURY
Allin Zaharia (OBM)
CLUB REPRESENTATION
- OBM: 13
- YMP: 7
- HSOB: 5
- Waikohu: 4
- Ngatapa: 3
- Pirates-GMC: 3
