OBM are second, HSOB fifth and Pirates sixth,
The head coaches of the Town and Country sides are usually on the same team as co-coaches of Tūranga Tāne (Poverty Bay development squad).
This time they are opponents although Town’s Ken Houkamau says his role is more managerial than coaching.
“We have a collaborative coaching unit made up of Dillon Dolman-Tuhou and Carl Riini from OBM and Anthony Kiwara from Pirates,” Houkamau said.
“The intention is to let our club coaches develop — have them integrate with the other players.
“On paper, if we are being honest, the Country team look stronger but I have been really impressed with the talent we have available. I think that in this environment, players are going to turn heads.”
Houkamau said the idea was to create a representative experience for the players and give them the chance to display their talents among the best the competition had to offer.
“It’s going to be really exciting.”
Country coach Doug Jones sees himself and as his coaching staff as being fortunate to have so many quality players to choose from.
“We have a lot of players who know one another and are able to make good combinations.
“We also have some new faces and it will be good to see how they go in a new environment and hopefully a different level of rugby.”
“For us, it will be about keeping the game plan simple so the players can showcase their skills.
“The players know one another and the opposition players, so it’s more about how we can get the best out of them . . . help get them ready for the King’s Birthday Weekend fixture and the Heartland competition later in the year.”
Poverty Bay Heartland squad head coach Miah Nikora will be a keen spectator at the game.
“It will give us an insight into what guys can take on a decent amount of information in a short space (of time) for the structures the team will be playing under.
“We want them to use this but also be able to express their own individual talent and flair within those structures,” Nikora said.
“It’s an opportunity for guys to go up a level beyond club rugby.
“We are going into this game as coaches and selectors with an open mind.
“We know what a lot of the guys can do . . . there is quality in the teams and proven Heartland players among them.
“It’s also a big opportunity for those guys who have not played Heartland rugby before, or have ambition to get into that Heartland team, to put their hand up and say they can play at a higher level.”
The match will feature rolling subs, allowing the 28 players from each team to get game time.
A corresponding Senior 1 clash between Tūranga and Wairoa at 1pm is the curtain-raiser.
Ngatapa, YMP, Horouta and OBM players make up the Tūranga team, and Wairoa Athletic, Nuhaka and Tapuae players are in the Wairoa squad.
TOWN
Juston Allen, Blake Beard, Rylan Tuwairua-Brown, Harawira Kahukura, Mike Fox, Braedyn Grant, Mango Halafonua, George Halley, George Hooper, Bryan Howard, Isaiah Lemaua, Cohan Loffler, Ngahiwi Manuel, Nelson Moran, Viliami Mosati, Salesi Niuvao, Moui Paongo, Siope Piukana, Matt Profitt, Solomoni Rasari, Atunaisa Rokotuiwei, Fletcher Scammell, Netani Seruwaqa, Alifereti Senevou, Keanu Taumata, Myles Tawa, Rikki Terekia, Joe Tikikicidre.
INJURED: Lance Dickson, Moses Christie, Keegan Jooste, Jordan Kingi.
COACH/MANAGEMENT: Ken Houkamau, James Grogan, Carl Riini, Anthony Kiwara, Dillon Dolman-Tuhou.
COUNTRY
Taine Aupouri, Genesis Bartlett-Tamatea, Ra Broughton, Campbell Chrisp, Filimone Drua, Te Peehi Fairlie, Archie Harding, Sam Hudson, Jesse Kapene, Dan Law, Isaiah Leach, Stuart Leach, Jacob Leaf, Kupu Lloyd, Seth Lundon, Hayze Nepia, Geoff Pari, Nehe Papuni, Ricardo Patricio, Mitch Purvis, Knox Ranitu, Shayde Skudder, Kelvin Smith, Willis Tamatea, Andrew Tauatevalu, Kayleb Te Whare, KC Wilson, Khian Westrupp.
INJURED: Nashwen Mouton, Ethine Reeves, Tulsa Kaui, Adrian Wyrill.
COACH/MANAGEMENT: Doug Jones, Kohi Waihi, Josh Willoughby, Colin Skudder.
