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Earlier Season Guessing Game |
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Written by Site Admin
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Friday, 30 March 2007 |
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All the paperwork suggests Te Kawau, Kia Toa and and Feilding Yellows should be the big movers this season.
Te Kawau's influx of experienced players hasn't been so much from overseas as of rep calibre men filtering back to the Real Blokes.
Any side would look healthier with the return of centre Sam Leung-Wai after more than five years away playing for Hawke's Bay, Taranaki and in England; Bryan Matenga, who last played for Manawatu against the Lions in 2005, and long- serving hooker Simon Easton after a season with Horowhenua-Kapiti.
Then there's halfback Charlie Beetham whose rep days stretch back to the Central Vikings era. He'll play when his air force helicopter duties allow.
Former Hurricanes flanker Brent Thompson is back from Japanese club Suntory on holiday, but don't count on him being allowed to turn out for Te Kawau.
Te Kawau should be a handful for defending Hankins Shield champion College Old Boys at Rongotea tomorrow. COB might lack the star names, but has halfback Aaron Good and plenty of young talent.
Springbok and Manawatu Turbos halfback Joggie Viljoen will have a big influence on Kia Toa after his move from Freyberg. He's helping run the double blues with Tasi Tahuna, who has had player- coaching experience in England.
Enlisting Palmerston North Boys' High School fullback Kurt Baker was a coup for Kia Toa, and first-five Graham Smith will be an asset when he returns from Jersey in May. Kias traipse to Massey University to face a Varsity side many have written off after an ordinary pre-season.
Absent from Varsity is Turbos prop Grant Polson, who is in Hong Kong playing in the 10s tournament for New Zealand Legends.
From next week Varsity will lose five of its best to the New Zealand Universities tour to Japan and Australia. They will be Polson, flanker Josh Bradnock, hooker Willie Tran, midfielder Louis Maxwell and wing Cameron Hayton.
It's often a healthy sign for clubs when their B team is loaded with former senior first players. That's the scenario at Feilding, which should have a strong pack and former Hawke's Bay and Manawatu first-five Antony Papenfus running things.
Prop Jonathon Phelps has arrived from England as part of his rugby education and has impressed in pre- season.
The Yellows know rival Oroua waits in ambush at Kimbolton tomorrow. These two haven't clashed since 2005, thanks to last year's weird format.
Offsetting Papenfus will be former Manawatu, Taranaki and Munster No.10 Jason Holland with the mountain men as they try to bring the Yellows to heel.
Linton Army isn't sure if Hurricanes lock Hayden Triggs will be back on Saturday, but will want him against Freyberg. Linton is to try burly former Manawatu midfield back Mattie Oldridge at No.8.
Roger Walker's Freys haven't brought in a phalanx of Fijians this year because of the hot Fijian political climate.
But he does have a swift American winger, Cory Joseph, from San Diego, to complement the Turbos' South African, Leon Lubbe, on the other wing. There's also two players from Suburbs in Auckland, Auckland under-23 first-five Joel Burns and flanker Lee Murray.
Bush should fancy itself, even at Johnston Park away to a Feilding Old Boys side which has lost 16 of its best. For Bush, Turbo Mattie James will be marking his coach of last year, Tony Falloon, tomorrow.
Marist and High School Old Boys face off through the speedway netting on FMG Stadium in what should be a tight one.
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