RUGBY - Rep team fuels sideline debate

It might not be a treasure trove of talent, but a noticeable lift in the standard of club rugby play has suddenly plonked Northland rugby coach Mark Anscombe in the spotlight.
The focus on Anscombe comes as dedicated rugby disciples anticipate tomorrow's announcement of the representative squad.
Anscombe has just arrived back in the country after travelling to Wales as an analyst with the world champion New Zealand under-20 side.
He has walked back into a red hot Joe Morgan Memorial club rugby competition now hurtling toward the semifinals. Six of the 10 teams involved are vying for top four spots this season.
The knock-on affect has been a abrupt upsurge in public interest, particularly in the imminent announcement of the Northland pre-season squad, but also in the race for the title.
The announcement will suck more than 20 of the best players out of the championship into intensive pre-season preparations under Anscombe.
Even though the squad will not assemble until early next week, and players will not be withdrawn from the club competition for another two weeks, the intense rivalry of the Joe Morgan Memorial competition has kept sideline debates running hot.
Anscombe has noticed the public interest and the welcome lift in playing standards, especially now most of last year's squad members are back in the mix.
Loan still pending, for the first time in several seasons there is some selection debate about a clique of club players making bold bids for inclusion in Anscombe's squad.
"We are a bit thin in a couple of areas - hooker, cover for Bronson Murray at tighthead prop, a second halfback and maybe a midfield back - but in general we are looking quite settled," Anscombe said.
"We will introduce a few young guys who have come through the clubs, which is a good sign for the development of players up here as well," he said.
Among the candidates are Kamo's young loose forward Roy Griffin, Mid Northern's talented second five eighths Derek Carpenter and Hikurangi first five eighths Cass Walding.
All three were part of the Northland under-20 squad last season and have been working with an extended training squad at Northland headquarters.
There are others who could burst into the representative scene, including Mid Northern hooker Tyler Ashworth, Kamo loose forward Freddie van Loggerenburg, Wellsford midfielder Aiden Dewes and even teenage fullback Brooke Gilmore from Mid Western. Rampaging Mid Northern No.8 Frank Roberts is also in the hunt.
But while the selection debate is a popular topic on the sideline, the action on the paddock remains as intense as ever as the semifinals countdown gets serious.
Mid Northern remain on track to defend their title. They reinforced their championship frontrunner status by beating Kamo 23-18 in difficult conditions at Kamo.
Thanks to the tactical brilliance of David Holwell at first five eighths, Mid Northern always had an edge over a tentative Kamo side. His ability to keep Kamo pinned down in their own territory paid handsome dividends.
Holwell laid on an inch-perfect pass to put winger Dana Young over for a crucial try in the first half. Kamo hit back with two tries in the second spell, but responded poorly to late pressure when the outcome hung in the balance.
Wellsford crept up the ladder to sit in second place after a compelling 26-7 victory over Hikurangi at Wellsford with skipper Scott Brady and the multi-talented Joejoe Ranger at the vanguard.
Wellsford were ahead 14-7 at halftime and kept Hikurangi guessing in the second half.
Fullback Joe te Puni scored a brace for Hora Hora as they snuck past Waipu 17-6 at Waipu. Waipu's defence was impressive in patches, but their fitness did not stand up.
Mid Western produced the upset of the weekend when they put 31 unanswered points past the Western Sharks at Maungakaramea.
It was a performance underpinned by the efforts of imported lock Marty Veale and a solid display from halfback James Rodley.
Vili Nai, Sione Tuitavake and Fetu Vainikolo were all in try scoring mode for Marist as they hammered Old Boys 71-5.
Next week: Hikurangi v Hora Hora; Wellsford v Kamo; Waipu v Sharks; Mid Northern v Marist; Old Boys v Mid Western. (Note: Hora Hora v Wellsford catch-up game is at Okara Park on Wednesday night).
* RESULTS
JOE MORGAN MEMORIAL
Premier: Mid Western 31 (Marty Veale, James Rodley, Buster Tauaraki, Tikiana Vette-Welsh tries; Brooke Gilmore pen, 3 cons), Western Sharks 0.
Premier reserves: 15-11 Sharks. Hora Hora 17 (Joe TePuni 2, Logan Wendt tries; Leon Baigent), Waipu 6 (Toby Phillips 2 pens).
Premier reserves: 58-6 Hora Hora. Mid Northern 23 (Dana Young, Frank Roberts tries; David Holwell 3 pens, 2 cons), Kamo 18 (Roy Griffin, Lee Jones tries; Matt Buckley 2 pens, con).
Premier reserves: 20-10 Mid Northern. Wellsford 26, (Ross Wright, Scott Brady, Rob Smedley, Joejoe Ranger tries; Joejoe Ranger 3 cons), Hikurangi 7 (Jared Payne try; Josh Edmonds con).
Premier reserves: 74-0 Wellsford. Marist 71 (Vili Nai 3, Saosi Tuatai, Fetu Vainakolo 2, Isa Nawaqa, Sione Tuitavake 2, Hayden Hutchinson, Toutai Telefoni tries; Hutchinson 7, Vainakolo cons), Old Boys 5 (Troy Gilbert try). Premier reserves: 25-6 Marist.
POINTS:
Premier: Mid Northern 57, Wellsford 53, Marist 52, Hikurangi 52, Kamo 51, Hora Hora 51, Western Sharks 25, Mid Western 16, Waipu 9, Whg Old Boys 1.
Premier reserves: Wellsford 64, Marist 62, Mid Northern 60, Hora Hora 46, Kamo 39, Western Sharks 36, Hikurangi 28, Waipu 17, Whg Old Boys 7, Mid Western 3.