Backs switch roles for final

There are no surprises in the starting line-ups for the final of the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union's Tui Cup premier division competition at Memorial Park, Masterton on Saturday.
Carterton coach Steve Hurley and his Gladstone counterpart, Steve Thompson - who were Wairarapa-Bush teammates during the golden era of the early 1980s - have basically stuck with the tried and true for the decider.
Perhaps the main talking point in the Carterton team is the inside back combination of Jason Scott at halfback, Codie Whittaker at first-five and Brock Price at second-five. Previously, all three have made names for themselves in other roles; Scott as a hard-running midfield back, Whittaker as a nippy halfback and Price as a wide-ranging loose forward.
It is also interesting that Jono Hurley, usually at first-five or fullback, is now playing at centre for Carterton and that their first choice goalkicker, Jared Nyssen, will be at fullback. He has often played at first-five.
The experienced Lance Stevenson would usually have been an automatic choice on the wing for Carterton but injury has sidelined him and a couple of up-and-comers in Sam Hull and Deon Field will play there.
The Carterton forwards are an experienced lot. Blair Heming, Mana Apiata and Dylan Higginson make up the front row with Tomasi Kedrabuka and Paddy Cassidy at lock, skipper Mike Wakefield and John McFadzean on the flanks and Cory Price at No8.
A Fijian connection provide the main strike power for Gladstone in the backs, none more so than livewire halfback Inia Katia, clearly the player of the match in their last-gasp semifinal win over East Coast. Centre Michael Vuicikau and wing Joseva Naivalu are also both quality attackers.
The solidness of John Bailey and Jason Coffey in the five-eighths has been another plus for Gladstone this season. They will have a big part to play tactically on Saturday, especially Bailey whose goal kicking gives him a second string to his bow. A relative newcomer in Peter Oosteroff will again be on the wing with the reliable Andrew McKay at fullback.
There is likely to be one change in the Gladstone pack from last weekend, Alistair Potts replacing Lance Harris on the openside flank. That will boost their depth in lineouts with locks Andrew McLean and Corey Reid also leading lights in that area. Skipper John Stevenson and Duncan Law will join Potts in the loose trio and there will be no shortage of ruggedness in a front row containing Aaron Cook, Joe Nuku and Lance Graves.
The grand final kicks off at 3pm.