‘Imports’ ready to make mark

There are several talking points in the Wairarapa-Bush team named to play Poverty Bay in their annual Jeremy David Memorial Trophy match at Rugby Park, Gisborne, tomorrow.

First and foremost is the inclusion of the three high-profile “imports”, Viliami Hala, So’otala Fa’aso’o and Andrew Makalio, all members of the Grammar TEC side who won the Gallaher Shield, symbol of supremacy in the Auckland premier division competition. The versatile Hala will be at centre, Fa’aso’o at No 8 and Makalio at hooker.

Carterton’s Andy Humberstone will make his first-class debut for Wairarapa-Bush at second-five after a solid performance in the 45-29 loss to Wellington Samoans last Saturday and Tipene Haira, who also impressed at first-five in that game, has been switched to fullback with the return to Tim Priest to the No 10 jersey. Priest will have the responsibility of captain as well. On the wings will be experienced campaigners Paul Tikomainavalu and Nick Olson, meaning promising youngster Nick Robertson will come off the reserve bench.

Pioneer prop Matt Kawana has been given the nod over Jacko Hull for the starting role at loosehead prop and James Goodger, who usually plays on the flank, moves into the middle row with the defection of regular Andrew McLean, who is not available for representative play this season. He will partner Lachie McFadzean. There is a completely new look to the loose forward department with youngster Chris Raymond on the openside flank, Brendon Campbell on the blindside flank and Fa’aso’o in the back row.

Head coach Josh Syms and assistant Wayne Roache will be looking for sharp improvement in Wairarapa-Bush’s performance from that against Wellington Samoans where they all too often missed first-up tackles and allowed the dangerous Samoans backs too much time and space to mount their attacks. They will also want a more physical approach up front and it will be interesting to see the difference Makalio and Fa’aso’o, who are both reputed to be powerful runners with ball in hand, make.

The Wairarapa-Bush starting line-up is:

Tipene Haira; Nick Olson, Viliama Hala, Andy Humberstone, Paul Tikomainavalu; Tim Priest; Cody Whittaker; So’otala Fa’aso’o; Chris Raymond, James Goodger, Lachie McFadzean, Brendon Campbell; Kurt Simmonds, Andrew Makalio, Matt Kawana.

Reserves: Joseph Sio, Cameron Hayton, Nick Robertson, Kody Thompson, Jacko Hull, Wiremu Grace, Johnie McFadzean.

By Gary Caffell – Wairarapa Times-Age