Wellington and Canterbury Maori teams to play tomorrow

The Wellington and Canterbury Maori teams meet tomorrow at Helston Park in the feature representative clash of the day in Wellington.

Wellington Maori (Te Upoko O Te Ika) will be gunning for their third consecutive win over Canterbury Maori (Waitaha) after they successfully defended the Tirikatene Shield that they play for last year with a 19-10 win in appalling conditions (both teams pictured above after last year’s clash).

This followed their remarkable 52-51 win in 2013 which featured a storming comeback and a sensational last-gasp converted try when the two teams last met in the South Island.

The Wellington side is coming off winning the Festival Series for the second year. Wellington Maori defeated Wellington City 36-31, lost to Wellington Suburbs 36-41 and beat Wellington Samoans 32-31 in successive weeks.

Head coach Andrew Wharakura said the Festival Series was good preparation for their short representative programme starting tomorrow. “The team has been building nicely for this match and for the one in a fortnight against Tasman Maori,” he told Club Rugby.

“We have still got the backbone of our team from last year, with players such as Whetu Henry, Apa Heemi, Jared Kahu and Randall Bishop. We have had a couple of key injuries, but this has opened up opportunities for younger players.”

New players in the squad include Api McMillan-Parata, Jarrod Burnett, Hemi Fermanis, Tuakana Metuarau, Te Wehi Wright, Tiwi Davies, Sam Wasley, Andrew Ellis and Andrew Hanara.

“It’s fantastic to have former Wellington Maori captain and hooker Jo Hopkins finding his feet in his new role as forwards coach. Jo has great support from the senior players and brings a wealth of experience to the squad as a former player of this team and Petone teams for a long time.”

The Wellington Maori side tomorrow is also expected to feature all thee McMillan-Parata players, Tane, Api and Kewa.

Teams

Wellington Maori (Te Upoko O Te Ika)
1. Ryan Nepia
2. Apirana McMillan Parata
3. Jonathon Fuimaono
4. Jarrod Burnett
5. Mannasah Wineera
6. Gabe Papanui
7. Tane McMillan-Parata
8 .TJ Fermanis
9. Andrew Hanara
10. Greg Mullany
11. Tiwi Davies
12. Trevor Marama
13. Deina Morete
14. Andrew Ellis
15. Randall Bishop
16. Morgan Poi
17. Mykel Herewini
18. Hemi Fermanis
19. Eugene Smith
20. Sean Hay
21. TK Bishop
22. Kewa McMillan Parata

Coaches:Andrew Wharakura and Jo Hopkins
Managers: Tane Landon-Lane and Clinton Whiu

Canterbury Maori (Waitaha)
1. Tyler Kini                                             
2.  Nicholas Hyde                  
3.  Evan Seymour                  
4.  Ethan Plaskett                  
5.  Louis Harmon
6.  Kurt Poulson     
7.  Billy Harmon                      
8.  Renata Hakiwai               
9.  Maia Gibbs                                        
10. Solomona Pariki
11. Te Puoho Stephens
12. Nick Mannering                                               
13. Vern Holden                     
14. Henare Faithfull                               
15. Liam Timeteo                    
16. Gareth Seymour                             
17. Gauis Rewiti                      
18. Aaron Williams                   
19. Maake Pousini                 
20. Kayne Robinson                              
21. Hayden Annand                              
22. Brian Enari                     
 
Coaches: Kahu Carey and Marcel Cummings-Toone                            
Manager:  Sean Taiaroa                                     
Physio: Peter Spall
                                         

Match Details

What: Wellington Maori (Te Upoko O Te Ika) v Canterbury Maori (Waitaha) for the Tirikatene Shield
Where: Helston Park, Johnsonville
When: Saturday 5 September, kick-off 2.00 pm

Wellington Pride and Wellington Lions on the road

The Wellington Pride and the Wellington Lions are both playing away from home on Saturday.

The Pride play Waikato in Hamilton at 12.05pm and the Lions face the Southland Stags at 5.30pm.

Jeremy Thrush returns from an ankle injury to play at lock against the Southland Stags, whilst Vaea Fifita moves to blindside flanker to partner Ardie Savea and captain Brad Shields in the loose forward division.

After beating the Manawatu Cyclones 34-0 in their first game last weekend, the Pride are expected to face a step up against Waikato, who have so far brushed aside Otago 39-5 and Bay of Plenty 43-0.

Wellington Pride coach James Porter said that the team is looking forward to the challenge of playing Waikato.

“The pride will head away knowing they have prepared as well as possible and are excited to play last year’s finalists at Waikato stadium. Waikato is a very experienced and exciting team with a number of big names to call on for this week’s encounter. 

‘We see Waikato are the yard stick for many sides and the Pride are using this week as a learning experience to show the girls how a top side operate. 

“We are expecting a tough encounter up front and the Waikato backs to try and exploit the wide channels with their pace."

In team news, Janet Taumoli has been replaced by Sunemea Tupuola on the bench and Helena Lawrence makes way for Mena Tumaai on the right wing.

View the Women’s NPC and the ITM Cup at www.clubrugby.co.nz (Draws & Results)

Teams

Wellington Lions:
1. Reggie Goodes
2. Leni Apisai
3. Jeffery To’omaga-Allen
4. Jeremy Thrush
5. Hoani Matenga
6. Vaea Fifita
7. Ardie Savea
8. Brad Shields (c)
9. Frae Wilson
10. Jonny Bentley
11. Wes Goosen
12. Shaun Treeby
13. Matt Proctor
14. Joe Hill
15.Cory Jane
16. Hunter Prescott
17. Vince Sakaria
18. Joe Apikotoa
19. Adam Hill
20. Greg Foe
21. Tomasi Palu
22. Jackson Garden-Bachop
23. Tomasi Alosio

Wellington Pride:
1. Moana Aiatu
2. Alice Soper
3. Noeleen Nonu
4. Petra Kriklanova
5. Sanita Levave
6. Joanah Ngan-Woo
7. Caroline Sio
8. Jackie Patea (c)
9. Agnes Dean
10. Lizzie Goulden
11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga
12. Amanda Rasch (c)
13. Georgia Daals
14. Mena Tumaai
15. Vaine Marsters
16. Alicia Print
17. Sunema Tupuola
18. Miriam Ready
19. Kirstin Stewart
20. Raukawa Tuahuru
21. Makisi Fa’asua
22. Helena Lawrence

Wellington U19s, Development in action in Palmerston North

Wellington Lion and 2014 New Zealand Secondary Schools wing Malo Tuitama is set to make his comeback from injury through the Wellington U19s when they take on the Hurricanes Barbarians side tomorrow

The defending national champions face the Barbarians in Palmerston North at 1pm, in the first of three seeding matches which will determine their spot in this year’s national Jock Hobbs Memorial Tournament in Taupo.

Tuitama has been named to start on the bench for the side in what will be his first match back since injuring his Achilles late last year.

The Wellington Development team has its first hit-out of the 2015 representative season against the Hawke’s Bay Saracens.

The full fixtures list for Saturday 5 September involving Wellington teams is:

Home Fixtures

• Wellington Maori v Canterbury Maori; Helston Park 2pm
• Wellington Maori Women v Wairarapa-Bush Maori Women; Helston Park 11am
• Wellington Under 18 v HOBM Academy; Petone Rec #1 2:30pm
• Centurions Under 21 v Wairarapa-Bush B; Petone Rec #4 12:30pm

Away Fixtures

• Wellington Pride v Waikato; Waikato Stadium 12:30pm
• Wellington Development v Hawkes Bay; Arena Manawatu #4, 1pm
• Wellington Under 19 v Huricanes Barbarians Under 19; Arena Manawatu #3 1pm
• Wellington Maori Development v Horowhenua-Kapiti B; Waikanae Park 12:30pm
• Wellington Under 16A v Wairarapa-Bush Under 18; Masterton 1:45pm
• Wellington Under 16 Development v Wairarapa-Bush Under 16; Masterton 12pm