Five Eketahuna players have been included in the starting line-up for the Wellington Pride women's rugby team to play a Black Ferns-laden Auckland in a national provincial championship match at the Hutt recreation ground on Saturday afternoon.
In the backs will be Maia Tua-Davidson at fullback, Shakira Baker at centre and
Rebecca Mahoney at first-five and in the forwards Perri Tatana at lock and Emma Aldworth at No.8.
It is probable too that utility back Michele Clarke will be in the reserves.
Wellington Pride women's rugby coach Grant Edmonds makes no secret of the huge impact made by the Eketahuna players since the NPC squad was named.
"They have contributed massively and that goes for all of them," he said. "They've all got that physical presence which is so important when you play at this level."
Tatana's selection at lock did raise a few eyebrows because of her playing all her club rugby on the flank and Edmonds admits it was prompted by a lack of quality middle rowers and a surfeit of talented loosies, among whom Aldsworth was the "obvious choice" in the back row.
"She (Tatana) doesn't mind hitting rucks and she is one of her best forwards when it comes to turning over ball," he said.
"Lineout-wise she is still learning but I can see her being pretty useful there too."
Edmonds said the aggressiveness of Tua-Davidson and Baker both on attack and defence, was a key component in the Pride game plan while Mahoney (nee Hull) had few peers as a playmaker and goal kicker.
"It's vital to have someone who can play the territory game and Beks does that as well as anyone," he said.
Clarke, a former national football rep, is in only her second season of rugby and Edmonds labelled her progress as "outstanding" considering her lack of experience.
Pride opened their 2009 NPC campaign with a decisive 25-6 win over Otago and while Edmonds was delighted with their performance then he expects star-studded Auckland to provide stiffer opposition.
"We know that they (Auckland) will fancy their chances of running us off our feet but if we keep our structure and make our tackles I think we can come up with a good result," Edmonds said.
Kick off at the Hutt recreation ground is at 1.30pm and a strong Wairarapa following is expected there and again in Palmerston North the following Saturday when they meet a Manawatu side expected to contain yet another Eketahuna player in Jess Bennett.
