Greytown-Tuhirangi tipped for honours

Greytown-Tuhirangi are among the early favourites for major honours in this season's Wairarapa-Bush senior first division rugby competition, which kicks off this Saturday.
Under the direction of coaches Anthony Morris and Tim Loe, they will field one of the better-balanced sides, despite missing the services of two of last season's stars in Wairarapa-Bush utility back and Dutch international Bart Viguurs and experienced prop John Tanner.
There will be at least five notable newcomers in the Greytown-Tuhirangi squad, halfback Sean Bicknell and Nathan Williams who have both transferred from Carterton, fullback or centre James Ross, prop Brett Rudman, who has played for Nelson-Bays B, and halfback Michael Hollis, who was the standout player in the Kiuranui College first XV in 2005
Regular Wairarapa-Bush reps in prop Dylan Higgison and Sylvanus Iro will again be key members of the Greytown-Tuhirangi pack, where others sure to make an impression are lock Norm Henricksen and hooker Bruce McKenzie.
Astute tactician Mark Childs will be a guiding hand in the backs with the reliable Kingi Kaiwai in midfield and pacy Tavita Isaac on the wing.
Coach Morris has been "reasonably satisfied" with the performance of his side in a couple of pre-season games, especially in terms of structure.
"It's probably going to take a while to get things operating the way we want, but it's been a useful start," he said.
Pioneer stalwart Tipi Rimene has taken over the coaching of his club's senior first division team this season, and while he admits the emphasis will be on rebuilding for the future, he is confident they will give a good account of themselves.
The return of Tommy Harmon from Carterton is a big plus for his backline.
He did well in his appearances for Wairarapa-Bush last season, and promises to be the star of a Pioneer rearguard, which has experience in the form of Richard Carroll and Ben Fox and promise in the form of Jordan Fox, Joe Papaali and Greg Paku.
Up front Pioneer has depth in their loose loose forward department, which will be spearheaded by Nathan Rolls, Jamie Smallman and James Ryan and Eruwera Henare is a young hooker with a bright future in the game. Front rower Rarere Deans and the Harmons, Willie and Mike, are solid performers as well.
Gladstone have former Wairarapa-Bush rep Steve Thompson in the coaching role this season, and he will have to do without three of the players who starred in his club's effort to make the grand final last season, fullback John Uys, first-five John Dodd and flanker Daimon Neal.
An ex-Manawatu rep in Mike Spence will, however, boost the loose forward department where Sam Henderson and Steve Wilkinson were so impressive in 2005. Other newcomers in the pack are Richard Puddy and William Clinton-Baker while regulars turning out again there are Tim Fleming, Bevan Moreland and Darren Walker.
With James Bruce currently on the injured list, Gladstone are fortunate to have gained the services of his Wairarapa-Bush team-mate Charlie Bargh from Marist in the halfback role, and he will part of a backline also including Ngatai Walker, Matt Easton, Dave Maungatai and Mike Shaw.