Rugby: WBRFU 125th

A fascinating mix of old and new faces is in the Wairarapa rugby squad to play Bush at Memorial Park, Masterton, on Queen's Birthday Monday.
The match will be a feature of the WBRFU's 125th anniversary celebrations.
Nine of the 10 clubs contesting the Wairarapa-Bush premier division competition are represented in the side, the only exception being Eketahuna, who will make up the opposition with some members of the Bush club side who play in the Manawatu.
Of the 26 players included in the Wairarapa squad, about half have played at Heartland championship level in recent seasons. Some familiar names are missing, though, including experienced front rowers Joe Harwood and Dylan Higgison, lock Tomasi Kedrabuka and utility back Byron Karaitiana. Harwood and Kedrabuka have retired from representative play, Higgison is still considering his options in that regard and Karaitiana has a knee injury which may sideline him for the rest of the season.
Another of the old guard, No8 Duncan Law, is now with Gladstone but played for Puketoi before they went into recess and will turn out for Bush.
The non-selection of young Pioneer first-five Tipi Haira, who has been impressive on the club scene, will surprise some, but Wairarapa-Bush head coach Mark Rutene says he is a contender for representative selection. Rutene and assistant coach Steve Thompson will closely watch him in a colts trial before the main game.
"He is clearly knocking on the door, he has not been forgotten," Rutene said.
The most interesting of the newcomers in the Wairarapa squad must be Ryan Buchanan, who plays club rugby in Auckland. He was first-choice halfback for the College Rifles club last year but when Toby Morland joined this year he moved to fullback and has impressed. So says former Wairarapa-Bush B coach Tony Hargood, now a fulltime coaching director of rugby for Rifles: "He is a very talented player, the sort of guy who could fit in just about anywhere and do a good job."
It was after Harwood and Rutene talked that Buchanan was invited to play for Wairarapa, but there is no certainty he will be available for the Heartland squad.
"Right now he is in the process of looking around and weighing up a few options, there are no guarantees where he will end up," Rutene said.
Englishman Dan Porter and Fijians Inia Katia and Michael Vuicikau will also be part of the Wairarapa rearguard. Big-kicking Porter will probably be trialled at first-five and fullback, while Katia can play at halfback and wing and Vuicikau at fullback and centre.
Prolific-scoring Pioneer wing Charlie Brown has been given a chance to press for higher honours, as have Carterton utility back Jono Hurley and young East Coast halfback Matt O'Connor, who has impressed with his speedy pass and tactical nous. With ex-All Black Mark Donaldson his mentor, he shapes as a potential top-liner.
The loss of Higgison and Harwood has left big boots to fill in the front row and amongst those looking to prove they can step up are Tereina Henare, Wilbur Davies, Blair Heming and Joe Nuku. Nuku has been a Marist stalwart for some seasons and usually plays as a loose forward, but under Harwood's tutelage has tried the hooking role. His mobility and aggressiveness could be handy there.
Look too for another Marist player in James Goodger to make an impact on the flank, having bulked up without it affecting his speed or lineout skills. Pioneer loosie Lee Ewe, son of former rugby league international Dave Ewe, should do likewise.
Joint coaches of the Wairarapa team for this fixture are Deon Van Deventer and Stacey Grant, and the squad, to train at Memorial Park on Wednesday, May 18, 6.30pm, is:
Forwards: Kurt Simmonds (Greytown), Tereina Henare (East Coast), Joe Nuku (Marist), Wilbur Davies (Martinborough), Blair Heming (Carterton), Andrew McLean (Gladstone), Cory Reid (Gladstone), Lee Ewe (Pioneer), John McFadzean (Carterton), Chris Senior (Masterton Red Star), Jared Hawkins (Martinborough), Tommy Sargent (Featherston), James Goodger (Marist).
Backs: Zeb Aporo (East Coast), Dan Porter (East Coast), Tommy Harmon (Pioneer), Jesse McGilvary (East Coast), Hemi Tupaea (Masterton Red Star), Nick Olson (East Coast), Charlie Brown (Pioneer), Lance Stevenson (Carterton), Jono Hurley (Carterton), Inia Katia (Gladstone), Michael Vuicikau (Gladstone), Ryan Buchanan (College Rifles), Matt O'Connor (East Coast).