OPPORTUNITY KNOX: Two debutants named in Wekas Heartland squad

Ngatapa’s Knox Ranitu and OBM’s Jordan Kingi are on course to make their Heartland Championship debuts for Poverty Bay after head coach Miah Nikora named his 2023 squad this week. The squad start training on Tuesday of next week and have their first of two pre-season matches on July 29 — Eastern Bay of Plenty in Whakatane. Pictures by Paul Rickard

Head coach Miah Nikora has named his Poverty Bay Wekas 2023 Heartland Championship squad including two new caps and some players  who were unavailable last year.

Nikora said he was really happy with the squad and building on the foundation laid last year when Poverty Bay finished 10th on the table with three wins and five losses.

“We are starting to build a bit of depth in terms of Heartland experience,” Nikora said.

“When you look through that squad there’s not too many asterisks (new caps) beside names.”

“A lot of the guys have played at that level.”

On top of that and the smattering of new faces, a good number were returning to the fold after being unavailable last season.

“So it’s about bringing all of that together and putting it out on the paddock.”

The two new players are locks Jordan Kingi (OBM) and Knox Ranitu (Ngatapa).

“I’ve been impressed with them through the club season.

“Jordan had a really good campaign with the Tūranga team last year as well and was really close to Heartland selection, so good for him — he deserves to get an opportunity this year.”

Opportunity is the key word and the newbies could get their first chance at this level when the Bay travel to Whakatane to take on Eastern Bay of Plenty on July 29 in the first of two  first pre-season matches.

“We haven’t played them in a wee while now and not since I’ve been involved,” Nikora said.

“We are really looking forward to going over there and they’re really looking forward to hosting us as well.”

Three Poverty Bay teams will be travelling to Whakatane.

The Tūranga Tāne development team will play the curtain-raiser against a Bay of Plenty Pasifika team and Tūranga Wāhine will also have a game against Waimana of EBoP.

“So that will be a big day for us and we are looking forward to that.”

The Wekas’ pre-season clash is their annual fixture against Hawke’s Bay Saracens in Napier on August 5.

“That’s always a good game. It’s a lot of their academy boys and a lot of their young guys mixed with a few older heads as well. Sometimes a few of the Magpie boys will come down into that team, too.

“It’s always a tough one and a good hit-out before Heartland,” Nikora said.

There are some notable players unavailable or injured — OBM captain Riki Terekia who’s taking this season off as he awaits the birth of his first child; YMP double centurion Willis Tamatea; Waikohu stalwarts Mario Counsell, Toru Noanoa and Adrian Wyrill; and giant Wairoa lock Adriaan Brits.

As the development of Rugby Park continues, Poverty Bay’s  home games will be played at the Oval and Paddy’s Park in Patutahi.

They kick off the Heartland season against Buller at the Oval on August 12.

Training starts at the Oval on Tuesday of next week.