Last chance for players to stake claims

Wairarapa-Bush's representative rugby fixture against Wellington Samoans at Memorial Park, Masterton tomorrow could prove to be a defining moment of the 2010 season.
It will be the last warm-up game before Wairarapa-Bush begin their Heartland championship programme with a pool match against Buller in Westport on August 28 and, therefore, the last chance for a timely boost to confidence.
Certainly a hefty defeat at the hands of what is sure to be a formidable Samoans side playing their usual attacking style of rugby would not augur well for what is to follow.
The starting line-up named by coach Kelvin Tantrum for tomorrow is, however, unlikely to quite mirror that for next weekend's southern excursion.
Two probable first stringers, wing Junior Togia and loose forward Joss Tua-Davidson, were unavailable for selection - Togia because he is attending a wedding and Tua-Davidson because he has an injury niggle and Tantrum believes it best to rest him.
And two others who must have a royal show of making the run-on side in Westport, hooker and captain Joe Harwood and lock Andrew McLean, were unable to make training this week and have been placed in the reserves as a consequence, Harwood's absence meaning prop Kurt Simmonds will skipper the side in the first half.
Togia's unavailability gives young East Coast utility back Jesse McGilvary another chance on the wing after he played there during the second half of the non-championship match with Poverty Bay last Saturday.
He only had limited opportunities to demonstrate his attacking skills then but there was a lot to like about the way he went looking for work and his solidness on the tackle.
Tua-Davidson's injury provides for an interesting make-up to the loose forward combination. Serious thought was given to starting with Wellington "loan player" Mano Fairamo but it seems he will now come off the reserve bench with John McFadzean and Rupeni Temani starting on the flanks and Duncan Law at No8.
The ability of Law to star at Heartland level was proved time and again last season but McFadzean and Temani have something to prove in that sense and tomorrow gives them the chance to show coach Tantrum is on the right track.
In the backs, the main talking points will be at halfback and first-five. Veteran James Bruce has been given the nod ahead of promising youngster Api Matenga behind the scrum after both played well against Poverty Bay while another of the Wellington "loan players" in Jeremy Te Huia replaces Byron Karaitiana in the No10 jersey.
Karaitiana has struggled for consistency for most of this season but there were signs last weekend that the old confidence is returning - especially in the goal-kicking department - and it will be interesting to see what Te Huia offers by comparison.
Kick off tomorrow is 2.30pm and the full Wairarapa-Bush squad is: Nick Olson, Jesse McGilvary, Heemi Tupaea, Sam Mitchell, Joseva Naivalu, Jeremy Te Huia, James Bruce, Duncan Law, Rupeni Temana, Brandan Young, Dan Griffin, John McFadzean, Dylan Higgison, Richard Puddy, Kurt Simmonds. Reserves: Joe Harwood, Jared Brock, Andrew McLean, Tomasi Kedrabuka, Tommy Sargent, Mana Fairamo, Api Matenga, Byron Karaitiana, Tommy Harmon.
The curtain-raiser will feature the Wairarapa-Bush B and Wairarapa-Bush Maoris sides and will get under way at 1pm.
Finally a word on the Tuhirangi club who have just held their end-of-season prizegiving. Major trophy winners were Bradley Legge (most points scored), Matt Johnson (club contribution), Lachlen Fee (most improved back), Daniel Phillips (most improved forward), Wayne Jephson (sportsmanship), Stu Weatherston (most improved player), Pete Mehlhopt (best and fairest player), Wyeth family (best supporters), Kelly Thomason (best Maori player), Rotopai boys (best trainers), Tim Roberts (most promising player and most valuable player) and Marshall Love (club contribution).