Injuries hit key players ahead of vital match

Wairarapa-Bush may be without two of their most experienced campaigners for their vital Heartland championship rugby match with Mid-Canterbury at Memorial Park, Masterton on Saturday.
Fullback Simanu Simanu and lock Tomasi Kedarabuka are both battling injury and coach Graham Cheetham today put their chances of being in the starting line-up as "no more than 50-50."
Simanu, the NPC third division Player of the Year two seasons ago, is undoubtedly the most potent attacking force in the Wairarapa-Bush backline, a fact clearly illustrated by the lack of penetration from the backs when he left the field with a groin strain at halftime in the 18-12 loss to Horowhenua-Kapiti at Levin last weekend. He had earlier made two or three scything runs in the first half.
Kedarabuka suffered some heavy bruising during the Horowhenua-Kapiti game and did not attend training on Tuesday as a consequence. His excellence in lineout and general play was evidenced by him being a finalist for the Heartland Player of the Year award last season and, like Simanu, he would be a huge loss should he be sidelined for Saturday's match.
The doubts over Simanu and Kedarabuka mean the composition of the Wairarapa-Bush starting line-up for the Mid-Canterbury match won't be confirmed until the eleventh hour.
If Simanu is out the prospects are that Heemi Tupaea will be at fullback but if he plays the choice for centre will be between Tupaea and Tapaga Isaac, who has filled the second-five post in the four Heartland games to date.
However, that role will be taken by Jon Guillard this weekend while Jordan Fox, now recovered from the concussion suffered in the Thames Valley match, is back on the wing in place of Lima Lauvi.
As expected the calf injury which saw No.8 Steve Olds leave the field at Levin ruled him out of contention for the Mid-Canterbury game and that has led to a reshuffle in the loose forward trio.
Lively Martinborough player Jared Hawkins has been promoted from the B squad and he will start at openside flanker ahead of Sully Alsop, Josh Mackey comes off the reserve bench to the blindside flank and skipper Mike Spence moves from there to the back row.
There is a switch in the front row too with Shane Temana taking over from Brendon Walker at prop and if Kedarabuka can't play Dan Griffin will be partnered at lock by Jared Bambry.
Saturday's game is hugely important for both Wairarapa-Bush and Mid-Canterbury as far as their Heartland title aspirations are concerned.
Wairarapa-Bush need to win to guarantee themselves two home Meads Cup playoff games while the formula is simple for Mid-Canterbury, win and they will be playing off for the Meads Cup, lose and they are almost certain to be relegated to the Lochore Cup section.
The Wairarapa-Bush team is: Simanu Simanu or Heemi Tupaea; Jordan Fox, Tapaga Isaac or Tupaea, Jon Guillard, Lance Stevenson; John Dodd; Hamish McKenzie; Mike Spence; Jared Hawkins, Tomasi Kedarabuka or Jared Bambry, Dan Griffin, Josh Mackey; Shane Temana, Joe Harwood, Brett Rudman. Reserves: Mike Hollis, Phil Aporo, Lima Lauvi, Willie Leota, Brendon Walker, Sully Alsop, Bambry or Kedarabuka.