Town v Country fixture resurrected after Covid

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Premier grade rugby takes a break this weekend as the annual Town v Country weekend makes a return.

Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union has announced the squads for the Saturday match-up to be played at Paddy’s Park in Patutahi,  2.45pm kick-off.

The match has not been played since 2020 because of Covid-19..

The Town squad is made up of players from OBM, High School Old boys and Pirates while the Country team comprise players from YMP, Waikohu and Ngatapa.

Former Poverty Bay captain Ken Houkamau is coaching Country and Doug Jones is in charge of Town.

The pair also coach the Tūranga Tāne Poverty Bay development squad.

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, Shyade 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.

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.