It will be a baptism of fire for the Anderson Meats Wairarapa United men's soccer squad when they take on Miramar Rangers in a "friendly" at Howard Booth Park, Carterton tomorrow. Miramar Rangers is rated as one of the top five club sides in the country, and are expected to fieldclose to a full strength line-up against a new look Wairarapa United side making their first appearance for the year. But rather than daunted at the prospect of such an imposing challenge Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley sees only the positives. He said that with his side's Capital premier division programme kicking off next month, it was important to have a gauge on where his players stood now in terms of fitness and skill levels, and Miramar Rangers were the ideal team to play in that respect. "They will play the game at pace and they will put us under sustained pressure???how we cope will be interesting," he said. "It's going to tell us a lot about the character and resolve of our players." Solomon Islands international Stanley Waita won't be part of the Wairarapa United squad tomorrow because he has returned home for the birth of his child. He is due back next Thursday. However, the three acquisitions in the local side, Cook Islands goalkeeper Tony Jamieson, Fijian international Petero Dauniseka and James Oxtoby from Palmerston North will play with Dauniseka at fullback and Oxtoby in the midfield. Also having time in the fullback role will be United stalwarts Robbie Bull and Andy Robertson, while Oxtoby's midfield partners will come from Sakeo Valevou, Lai Gataurua, Aaron Spierling Carl Shailer and Murray Burling. Up front will be Pita Rabo and Troy Burling. Keinzley said the tactical aim for Wairarapa United would be to play an attractive style of soccer which allowed their players to showcase their individual skills. "It's not a game where the final scoreline matters too much, but at the same time we need to be competitive," he said. "We also need to be building confidence and a strong showing will do that."
