League match will be competitive, says Nuku

Forget the thought that the one-off rugby league match being played at the Marist grounds at Memorial Park on Saturday will be little more than a social occasion.
Organiser Joe Nuku says the game which features a Wairarapa invitational team against the Petone Panthers will "very definitely" be a competitive affair.
Nuku, a former player for Petone Panthers but these days a bruising back row forward for the Masterton Marist club's senior rugby side, knows an invitational team containing many players new to rugby league will find it difficult coping with a Petone Panthers combination coming off the back of a win in a pre-season nine-a-side tournament in Wellington last weekend.
But, at the same time, he has been impressed enough by the attendance at the seven training sessions they have held to believe they will be no push-overs.
It has been nothing unusual for these sessions to attract up to 20 prospective players with Sunday's squad likely to number around the 25 mark.
"We did think we might have a few problems getting a team but it's been just the opposite & the hardest part is going to be who to leave out," Nuku said. "We're going to have a pretty useful bench, that's for sure".
Nuku, who played for Wellington at Bartercard Cup level and also trialled for the Warriors, is not the only player in the invitational squad who is experienced in rugby league.
Joe Papalii, now a prominent member of Pioneer's senior club rugby side, is another and they could be joined by some who turned out for the Pahiatua Panthers a few seasons back.
There is no doubt though that the bulk of the invitation team players will be, first and foremost, rugby adherents with Nuku anticipating big things from the likes of Zane Aporo, Eliah Telford, Kane Nooroa and Tipi Rimene.
There is the possibility too that the regular halfback for Wairarapa-Bush in their Heartland championship campaign last season in Mike Hollis will take the field.
It is understood he is considering playing rugby league for the Wellington-based University club in 2009.
Nuku has been pleased with the way in which the rugby-ites have been coping with the different tactics and techniques required to be successful in league, particularly the emphasis on defence.
"There is a saying in league that the team with the best defence usually wins and that's pretty much the case," Nuku said.
Petone Panthers, for their part, will also be fielding an extended squad for the Masterton match as they are to use it as a trial to select their premier side for the 2009 season.
Plans are to play Saturday's game in four quarters with a 2pm kickoff.