Trialling a new backline failed to dull the sharpness of a finely-tuned St Johns Club Whanganui Metro during its 53-17 drubbing of Kia Toa in the Manawatu McDonalds Colts division match at Spriggens Park on Saturday.
The Whanganui lads enjoyed a rare home turf match complely dominating the visitors in both the forwards and backs.
Darryl Malcolm said he and co-coach Carl Gibson were forced to trail new backline combinations with the imminent departure of regular first-five and goal kicker Stefan Hannan.
"We won the match with some authority despite trailling a new backline and search for a new kicker to replace Stefan who leaves us in two or three weeks after joining the army," Malcolm said.
"The trial didn't work too well and we didn't score very many points with the boots. However, were were also able to give everyone who hasn't had a run this season and a run on Saturday and that seemed to gel okay.