Teams for today’s premier rugby season-openers

With all six game-day squads for Tiny White Opening Day in Civil Project Solutions Poverty Bay Premier Grade confirmed, the rugby public can now cast a discerning eye over the talent to roll out at the Oval today.

At 1pm on Oval 1, blindside flanker Moui Paongo will lead a Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates side containing runners as difficult to lay hands on, though vastly different in method, as tank-like loosehead prop Toshio Paongo and first-five Isaiah Lemaua, into battle against Larsawn Ngatapa.

Paongo, ball in hand, is very hard to stop. Just as tough a number is the Ngatapa rake Zach Pell, with his resilience and love of contact, while OBM No.1 Lance Dickson and his skipper, blindside flanker Rikki Terekia, are incredibly quick off the mark for big men.

OBM fullback Braedyn Grant can slide between both the big and the quick, and Te Peehi Fairlie — East Coast Farm Vets’ YMP’s fetcher tomorrow — can break any defence. He has the strength, step, fend and change of pace that can turn a game on its ear.

Kahu Scaffolding Tapuae player-coach fullback Paoraian Manuel-Harman is one in the Grant mould, evasive with great sleight of hand and an edge of speed. He is a player to bring crowds to their feet with his flair, and his HSOB opposite today, Matt Proffitt, is another with an eye for the main chance.

He is quick on the uptake, with an eye for space and able to finish. Proffitt can lay on team tries.

These are just some of the players to keep an eye out for — and the excitement they generate — this afternoon at the Oval.

Rugby fans are advised not to miss it.

Today’s teams (1-23)

KEVIN HOLLIS GLASS PIRATES:

Toshio Paongo, Rawiri Hoerara, Jesse sweeney, Setefano Tolu, Viliami Mosaati, Moui Paongo (c), Paula Tatafu, Atunaisi Tiko, Karl Mackie, Isaiah Lemaua, Isimeli Yavala, Monty Kora, Alifereti Senivou, Siope Fakahokotau, Mosese Bulicakau (vc). R: Fereti Paulo, Ikena Seru, Kaliveti Rauvi, William Buckneil, Kiri Latu, TBC, TBC.

LARSAWN NGATAPA:

Wesley Pearse, Zachary Pell, Leon Kerr, Jack Twigley (c), Haeora King, Ben Johnson, James Law, Etimoni Lavaka, Angus MacKenzie, Johnny Millar, Archie Harding, Fasi Lauti, Alex Bristow, Joeli Ragoneliwa, Rua Smith. R: Ihaia Kerr, Campbell Chrisp, Ben Robertson, Jack Fuller, Akuila Waqa, Chris Richardson, Jason Jones.

OBM, 1-23: Lance Dickson, Ilisa Vunibola, Ratu Naroba, Jordan Kingi, Tikiko Viqasi, Rikki Terekia (c), Lepani Nadriva, Jokatama Ciwa, Atunaisa Rokotuiwei, Austin Brown, Bosca Tikicidre, Solomoni Rosari, Ale Paulo, Elijah Tuisavusavu, Braedyn Grant. R: Makairi Kingi, Ulaiasi Seru, Timoci Tikomaimaleya, Netani Seruwaqa, Benito Barry, Kiti Vola, Dillon Dolman-Tuhou, Petero Qio.

EAST COAST FARM VETS YMP: Wirihana Reihania, Shayde Skudder (c), Rocky Monika, Willis Tamatea, Sonny Woodmass/Jason Tuhoe, Shyann Wyllie, Te Peehi Fairlie, Stuart Leach, Rawiri Broughton (vc), Kayleb Te Whare, Anare Maiwalu, Taine Aupouri, Mitch Purvis, Matt Rutene, Genesis Bartlett-Tamatea. R: Keanu Barbarich, Saigeon Carmichael, Jason Tuhoe/Liam Babbington-Ngerengere, Jess Kapene, Legend Winiata, Stephen Blake, Tharin Cox-Peratiaki.

KAHU SCAFFOLDING TAPUAE:

Tom Ormond, Ngahiwi Manuel, Brayden Tither, Nox Ranitu, Duran Smith, George Whakatope (c), Keanu Taumata, Antonio Marewai, Kingi Te Amo, Nikau Kaimoana, Tatana Smith, Leroy Taiapa, Tione Hubbard (cc), Paoraian Manuel-Harman. R: Wayne Hema, Jeke Fatafihi, Jermaine Kaimoana, Isaac Hikawai, Tahu Taylor, Harawira Kahukura, Ruka Hatley.

EARTHWORKS SOLUTIONS HSOB:

Tevita Kavai, Xayvier Kingi, Salesi Niuvao, Nelson Moran, Viliami Kavai, Pila Masila, Viliami Mafua, Zane Boyle, George Halley-Donnelly (c), Bryan Howard, Jack Willock, Cohen Loffler, Rylan Tuwairua-Brown, Scott Hatwell, Matthew Proffitt. R: Jamie Worsnop, Jacob Hatton, Jason Kerekere, TBC, TBC, Leo Te Hira, Cory Reihana.