Rugby: Thames Valley name revamped NPC squad

Only seven members of last year's Thames Valley NPC second division rugby side are back for this season.

When Thames Valley selector-coach Ritchie Taylor announced his first team this week he was left without 16 from last season who haven't returned due to retirements, unavailability through work commitments and others who did not meet Taylor's standard.

Taylor was promoted to coach this year after two seasons as assistant coach under Mike Turner and then Leon Holden.

Among the more established players missing are forwards -- No 8 Myles McDuff, flanker Dave Dillon, prop Api Apelu, flanker Stephen Trebilco, lock Andy Springay, lock Tyrone Maullin, hooker Ryan Tohaia and prop Barton Thompson. Missing backs include winger David Rawnsley, first five-eighth Bevan Robinson and winger Gerry Viguurs.

The players to be re-selected include 63-game veteran halfback Aaron McDonald, flanker Hayden Cullen, second five-eighth Stephen Hill, who will captain the side, flanker Karl Davis, fullback Michael Griffin and prop Steve Mangan.

Returning are fullback Kyron Bax, after last playing in 1999, and prop Hayden Rasmussen, in 2000.

Taylor has included four loan players. They prop Allan Hill and lock Graham Petterson from Bay of Plenty and flanker Felo Tuuga Kereone and lock Gene Waller from Waikato.

Thames Valley play an Auckland Divisional 15 at Thames on Sunday in their final shake-down game and the opening NPC game is against North Otago at Paeroa on August 7.

Thames Valley NPC squad:

Backs: Kyron Bax, Brett Beagley, Michael Griffin, David Harrison, Stephen Hill, Aaron McDonald, Scott McKay, Steven Purcell, Trent Hill, Bobby Rollinson, Kelvin Soppet, BJ Tohaia.

Forwards: Graham Clark, Hayden Cullen, Mike Cunningham, Karl Davis, Allan Hill, Heath Lawson, Steven Mangan, Aaron McKain, Lee Marsh, Graham Petterson, Hayden Rasmussen, Felo Tuuga, Gene Waller, Karl Williams.

- NZPA