'Walking wounded' worries for Tantrum

Wairarapa-Bush rugby coach Kelvin Tantrum is optimistic his "walking wounded" will be available for their Ranfurly Shield challenge match with holders Wellington at Memorial Park, Masterton next Thursday.
Several of the Wairarapa-Bush squad involved in the night game against Central Hawke's Bay at Waipukurau on Wednesday came away the worse for wear and are currently in the doubtful starter category.
Perhaps the biggest question marks surround the fitness of lock Brandon Young, who has an ankle injury, and utility back Byron Karaitiana, who has soreness in the neck and shoulder area.
They would both normally be considered near certainties for the Shield game, Young because of his lineout skills and aggressive approach in other areas of the forward game and Karaitiana because of his soundness in the pivotal role of first-five, plus his goal kicking abilities.
Tantrum said Sunday's training session would answer many questions regarding the composition of the Wairarapa-Bush side to play Wellington for the "log o' wood".
"It's going to be pretty much a matter of seeing who is fit and going from there," he said. "Hopefully everybody will be on deck but right now there are no guarantees."
While disappointed with the loss to Central Hawke's Bay Tantrum said it had served the purpose of giving Wairarapa-Bush another lead-up game to the Shield match, and against opposition more spirited than New Zealand Defence Forces, who Wairarapa-Bush had comfortably beaten a week earlier.
And, just as importantly, it had given the selectors more ammunition to decide which members of their squad had the mental and physical abilities to play at a higher level, and which didn't
"Most guys have now had a couple of runs to show us what they can do and we've certainly taken notes in that regard," he said.
While Tantrum was loath to predict what his starting line-up for the Shield game would be, the likelihood is that, barring injuries, Jason Kjestrup will start at fullback with Nick Olson and Junior Togia on the wings, Heemi Tupaea at centre, Sam Mitchell and Byron Karaitiana in the five-eighths and Zeb Aporo at halfback.
In the forwards you'd expect Duncan Law, Jared Hawkins and. Joss Tua-Davidson to make up the loose trio, especially with Nathan Rolls continuing to make a decent impact off the bench. Andrew McLean and Brandon Young would probably continue their partnership in the middle row while it would be no surprise to see Nick Beavon at prop and Willie Leota at hooker join skipper Kurt Simmonds in the front row.
Tantrum said Sunday's training session would revolve around discussing the game plan against a Wellington side which could have several Super 14 players in their squad.
"It's all about being as competitive as we can possibly be ... and hoping miracles do happen," he said.
PREMIER DIVISION
Premier division club games continue in Wairarapa-Bush on Saturday and with most teams eyeing semi-final berths results will be of considerable interest.
A brief preview is:-
Puketoi v Gladstone, Pongaroa at 2.30pm: Gladstone can't afford a slip up here but they will be wary of a Puketoi side which will relish the chance to take them on up front. Gladstone should win but it won't be easy.
Eketahuna v Masterton Red Star, Eketahuna at 2.30pm: Eketahuna will rip into Masterton Red Star in the forward exchanges and if they can dominate possession there an upset could be on the cards. Expect, however, the greater attacking skills of the Masterton Red Star backs to have the final say.
Marist v Martinborough, Memorial Park at 2.30pm. Martinborough will still have semi-final aspirations if they lose, Marist won't. Simple as that. A free-flowing game seems likely with plenty of tries but don't be surprised if goal kicking decides it.
Pioneer v Carterton, Park Sportsground at 2.30pm: Carterton simply have to win this to have any possible chance of making the semis and that should motivate them to a huge effort against a Pioneer side which lies third on the competition table. Pioneer will start favourite but there shouldn't be much in it.
Greytown v East Coast, Greytown at 2.30pm: If Greytown can cause a boil-over and beat the competition leaders they will be well and truly in the semi-final race. It's a big if though as East Coast would seem to have the edge at both back and forward.