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Local players predominate

Apart from two loan players, Poverty Bay coaches Mana Otai and Dwayne Russell have gone for an all-local squad for Saturday’s first-round Heartland Championship rugby clash against Wairarapa Bush at Rugby Park.

Former Tasman Makos tighthead prop Andrew Petelo and former Manawatu Turbos second five-eighth Mapa Tuipulotu are the loan players.

Former Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 foward Micaiah Torrance-Reid, now playing for Taranaki, is the player of origin and will give the Bay valuable height at lineouts.

“Micaiah is a huge talent with size, speed and Mitre 10 Cup experience,” said Otai, who will put the squad through their final training session tonight when the focus will be on defence.

“Defence is a key component in any game.

“It’s not just about getting structures and systems in place.

“When it comes down to it, it’s about individuals making tackles.

The set piece was also a huge focus during last weekend’s camp.

“We have talented backs but we need a strong platform to work from,” Otai said.

A match preview will be in tomorrow’s paper at http://gisborneherald.co.nz/

POVERTY BAY (1-15):

Position # Name Position Club Height  Weight Games
1 Campbell Chrisp Prop Ngatapa 1.86 114 41
2 Tamanui Hill (Captain) Hooker HSOB 1.86 115 22
3 Andrew Petelo Prop Loan – Wellington 1.86 110 1
4 Micaiah Torrance-Reid Lock Origin  – Taranaki 1.97 110 1
5 Jacob Cook Lock OBM 1.95 105 19
6 Fawn White Loose Forward YMP 1.84 97 8
7 Callum McDonald Loose Forward OBM 1.90 99 1
8 Ken Houkamau Number 8 Waikohu 1.87 112 24
9 Mario Counsell Halfback Waikohu 1.67 85 40
10 Kelvin Smith First five-eighth Waikohu 1.73 90 34
11 Te Peehi Fairlie Outside back YMP 1.79 93 6
12 Mapa Tuipulotu Midfield back Loan – Waikato 1.85 98 0
13 Jesse Fleming Midfield back Waikohu 1.82 99 91
14 Andrew Tauatevalu Utility Back HSOB 1.95 98 9
15 Ethine Reeves Fullback Waikohu 1.63 80 44
Reserves:
16 Shayde Skudder Hooker YMP 1.82 108 9
17 Toru Noanoa Prop Waikohu 180 120 6
18 Sam McDell Lock Ngatapa 1.95 114 2
(19) – Bracketed Jess Kapene Loose Forward Wairoa Athletic 1.90 107 2
(19) – Bracketed William Tamatea Loose Forward YMP 1.96 105 38
20 William Grogan Halfback OBM 1.82 92 20
21 Matthew Raleigh Utility Back Ngatapa 1.82 80 0
22 Korey Love Outside back HSOB 1.79 90 2

RUGBY by John Hill
Published: August 23, 2018 8:51PM