Wairarapa reps dominate squad training for tour

The prospects of Wairarapa-Bush having strong numerical representation in the national divisional rugby team likely to be named next week for a short tour of Argentina have increased dramatically.
A wider training squad of 40 has been named and no fewer than nine Wairarapa-Bush players have been included.
They are forwards Joe Harwood, Sam Henderson, Sylvanus Iro, Brent Rudman and Dylan Higgison and backs Hamish McKenzie, Patrick Rimene and Nathan Couch.
In fact, the only Wairarapa-Bush player originally nominated for the divisional side to miss out is star midfield back Simanu Simanu, whose residential qualifications are still being checked out. He too will be part of the squad if they are deemed to be in order.
And the Wairarapa-Bush connection goes even further with coach Peter Russell assisting former All Black selector-and now Thames Valley coach Ross Cooper- in the coaching of the side on the Argentinian tour which will involve three matches in all. Cooper , of course, had a stint with Wairarapa-Bush during his own playing days.
Russell said the final make-up of the divisional side would very probably be announced next week and that they would have just three days training in New Zealand before leaving for Argentina.
That Wairarapa-Bush have so many players in contention for places in the team proper is no surprise as they are now through to the semi-finals of the inaugural Heartland championship, having won seven of their eight games.
The only loss came last weekend when they went down 28-22 to Wanganui whose victory maintained their unbeaten record.They did, however, have a 23-23 draw with King Country in pool play.
The Wanganui match ended with Wairarapa-Bush having a number of players under injury clouds, but happily coach Russell reported yesterday that a full strength side should take the field for the semi-final against North Otago at Memorial Park, Masterton this Saturday.
Outstanding openside flanker Sylvanus Iro was forced to leave the field with a back injury late in the first half at Wanganui, and it seemed unlikely then that he would be available for the semi-final. However, he was walking freely enough after treatment yesterday for Russell to suggest he was an "almost certain" starter for the North Otago game.
And there was similar good news from the other players suffering "niggly" injuries?..loosies Mike Spence and Sam Henderson, lock Mike Robinson and hooker and captain Joe Harwood.
Saturday's semi could well be the last home game for Wairarapa-Bush in 2006, regardless of the result.
A loss would obviously eliminate them from the competition, while a win would see into a grand final against the winner of the other semi being played between Wanganui and Mid-Canterbury at Wanganui.
The form book would suggest Wanganui will win that game in a canter, and if that is the case then they will host the final as well.
However, if Mid-Canterbury pull off what looks like mission impossible and beat Wanganui then the final will be played either at Masterton or Oamaru.