Two of the outstanding performers for overseas teams at the Oceania under-23 Olympic qualifying football tournament in Taupo last week will be wearing the Wairarapa United colours in 2012.
Esava Naqeleca had been signed up before he captained the Fijian team on a campaign which ended with them being beaten 1-0 by New Zealand in the grand final but the services of exciting Vanuatu fullback Brian Kaltack were only sought while the tourney was in progress.
Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley successfully negotiated with the 18-year-old Kaltack after watching him star for a Vanuatu squad which finished up in third.
Keinzley said he was "very impressed" by the athleticism and speed of the tall central fullback. "He's very quick over the ground and there's not very many players around with his sort of elevation when he is going for the ball in the air," Keinzley said of Kaltack, saying that he reminded him of Wairarapa United stalwart Pita Rabo in that latter aspect of his game. "You don't see Pita being outjumped very often but I reckon this fella would give him a good go."
Keinzley sees Kaltack, who last year won a scholarship which enabled him to train fulltime with the Wellington Phoenix for some weeks, adding an extra dimension to the Wairarapa United defence.