King’s Birthday derby an opportunity for Heartland hopefuls

Waikohu wing KC Wilson is one of the 12 new faces in the 44-man Poverty Bay squad from which a 23-man team will be selected for the King’s Birthday Weekend clash against Ngāti Porou East Coast at the Oval on June 3. Pictures by Paul Rickard

With the King’s Birthday Weekend local derby looming, Poverty Bay selectors believe they have a balanced and exciting squad to take on Ngāti Porou East Coast in Gisborne.

A 44-man squad were named this week — 15 of them from the Premier club competition-leading YMP team.

There is a good balance of forwards and backs, with each position having back-up should it be needed.

Head coach Miah Nikora said he was happy with the selections and now was a good time to bring the squad together.

“It is a well-balanced squad with some experienced players coming in, but also the opportunity to develop some new guys and bring some of the younger guys into the representative environment.” Nikora said.

“Those young boys will come in and hopefully grow their game, and we hope we can challenge them at a level beyond club rugby.”

With such an extended squad, not everyone is going to get game time in the derby clash.

“There are only 23 we can name to play on the Saturday but we want competition for places and we want those young guys pushing (for places),” Nikora said.

There are other benefits to bringing together a sizable squad into a rep training situation.

“We hope that they go back to their clubs with a bit more knowledge — having had a good experience — and are potential Heartland (Championship) players.

“It’s an opportunity for them to put their hand up and compete against these really experienced guys, as well as learn from them.

The squad is a mixture of players from last season, some from previous seasons and 12 newcomers with the potential to make their Bay debuts against the Coast.

The 12 are Bryan Howard (HSOB), Genesis Tamatea (YMP), Harawira Kahukura (OBM), Hayze Nepia (YMP), Joe Tikicidre (OBM), Jordan Kingi (OBM), Kayleb Te Whare (YMP), KC Wilson (Waikohu), Khian Westrupp (Ngatapa), Knox Ranitu (Nga), Matt Proffit (HSOB) and Sam Hudson (Nga),

As well as the 15 from YMP, there are 10 from OBM, eight from Waikohu, seven from Ngatapa, three from High School Old Boys and giant lock Adriaan Brits from Wairoa Athletic — the only Senior 1 player to make the squad.

“A lot of those guys have been playing some really good rugby,” Nikora said.

“A few of them have come through the Tūranga development team programme last year.”

Former Poverty Bay representative James Grogan (2015-2017) has been added to the coaching staff as defence and forwards coach.

“It’s awesome to have a young, keen coach come on board,” Nikora said.

“He’s a past captain of Poverty Bay — the youngest captain PB has ever had, so it’s great to have him come into the environment.”

The Poverty Bay Wekas play East Coast on June 3 at the Oval.

Poverty Bay won last year’s Queen’s Birthday Weekend clash 46-12 in Ruatoria but the Coast bounced back with a 12-10 win when the teams met in the Heartland Championship in Gisborne.

The Coast finished seventh on the Heartland table while Poverty Bay were 10th. The Coast went on to beat Mid Canterbury 25-20 in the Lochore Cup (5th to 8th placings) final.

Poverty Bay face Buller while the Coast are up against Wairarapa Bush in Week 1 of the 2023 Heartland Championship.

A Coast-Bay Heartland derby is set down for Week 5 (Sept 9) in Ruatoria.

Despite YMP winning their Premier club rugby game by default at the weekend, fullback Andrew Tauatevalu continues to lead the Taste One Most Valuable Player Leaderboard. Tauatevalu has 10 points from six matches and is one ahead of Ngatapa No.8 Khian Westrupp, who picked up two points from Saturday to move to nine points.