Wellington teams spread far and wide this weekend

Wellington representative teams are playing across the North Island tomorrow, with away matches on Saturday in Wanganui, Ruatoria and the East Coast and games at home at the Petone Rec, Helston Park and Maoribank Park.

It all starts this evening when the Wellington Lions host the Tasman Makos at Westpac Stadium at 7.35pm in a blockbuster fifth round of the ITM Cup match between two unbeaten teams. The curtain-raiser for this match, at Helston Park, is between the two Wellington U16 teams as they continue their preparations for the Hurricanes U16 tournament in Levin at the end of September.

There are five matches around the Wellington region for fans to follow on Saturday, including a double header on Petone Recreation Ground No. 1.

First up at Petone at 1.00pm is the Hurricanes Region U19 seeding competition clash between the Wellington U19s and the Hawke’s Bay U19s.

The Wellington side started with a 84-0 win over the Hurricanes Barbarians U19 team last weekend in Palmerston North, scoring 12 converted tries. The Junior Hawke’s Bay Magpies missed out to the Manawatu U19s 18-38 in the other match last week. Hurricanes radio on 1161AM will carry the live call from Petone.

This is followed at 2.30pm with a match between the Wellington Development and Wellington Samoan teams. Both teams are warming up to face Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay opposition over the following fortnight.

Over on Petone Rec 4 at 1.00pm, the Centurions U21 and the HOBM Academy sides meet.

There are two games tomorrow at Maoribank Park. The Wellington Maori Development and the Wanganui B team meet at 12.30pm, in the final match of their campaign, followed by the Wellington U18 Girls and the Wellington Maori Women playing at 2.00pm.

The Wellington Maori men’s team has a bye, before lining up against the Tasman Maori side in Nelson in their last match of the season.

There are three away matches on Saturday involving Wellington teams.

The Wellington U18s face Wanganui at Cooks Gardens at 12.30, in a curtain-raiser to the home union’s Heartland Championship fixture against King Country. Wanganui U18 missed out 0-8 to Taranaki Schools last weekend, so a tough encounter is expected.

This match for the Wellington U18s is the first of five in consecutive weekends coming up. After this they play Wairarapa Bush U18s, Wellington Samoan Schools, the Auckland U18s and the Tasman U18s.

The match in Ruatoria sees the Wellington Samoans U18s play East Coast U18s at 1.00pm.

The Wellington Pride head to Hawke’s Bay to play what is expected to be a hugely competitive Hawke’s Bay Tuis side in their fourth round Women’s NPC match.

The Pride have had a win and a loss so far, beating Manawatu 34-0 and then being run down 16-27 by last year’s beaten finalists Waikato. Hawke’s Bay will be desperate for victory after losing three games so far. The Tuis have gone down to Auckland 7-55, Otago 14-32 and Bay of Plenty 19-22. They are expected to be a physical side for the Pride to overcome, with a well-performing loose forward trio and inside backs.

The Pride have made a handful of changes to the team that played Waikato, with frontrowers Mo Aiatu and Janet Taumoli and No. 8 Miriam Reedy all out with injury. Vastly experienced loose forward Aimee Sutorius plays her first match of the competition and her combination with Jackie Patea and Caroline Sio will be one to watch.

Tina Paulo comes on to the right wing, to complement the exciting speed and skills of Ayesha Leti-l’iga.

Teams for tomorrow (all teamlists subject to change)

Wellington U18s:

1. Sitiveni Paongo (Wellington College)
2. Penieli Poasa (St Pat’s Town)
3. Ivan Fepuleai (St Pats Silverstream)
4. John Tuia (St Pat’s Town)
5. Henry Mexted (Scots College)
6. Jimmy Hewit (Wellington College)
7. Jack Nelson-Murray (St Pat’s Town)
8. Hannon Brighouse (St Pat’s Town)
9. Zac Donaldson (St Pat’s Town)
10. Foliga Vaalepu-Austin (Bishop Viard College)
11. Malachai Unasa (Rongotai College)
12. Willie Schutz (St Pat’s Town)
13. Willie Fine (St Bernard’s College)
14 Sione Uvea (St Pats Silverstream)
15 Saia Paese (St Pat’s Town)
16. Daniel Leone (Tawa RFC)
17. Nu'u Haueia (Scots College)
18. Gus Stone (St Pat’s Town)
19. Ezra Seiuli (Rongotai College)
20. Ryan Fraser (St Pat’s Silverstream)
21. Jayden Treviranus (Upper Hutt College)
22. Reece Plumtree (Wellington College)

Wellington U19s:

1. Delano Morkel
2. Josh Hosuton-Tupou
3. Tao-Roi Lupo
4. Anthony Pettett
5. Lui Luamanu
6. Vern Sosefo
7. Daniel Schrijvers
8. Patrick Fenika
9. Kaide McCashin
10. Piri Paraone
11. Malo Tuitama
12. Lester Maulolo
13. Pepesana Patafilo
14. Jarrod Adams
15. Josh Robertson-Weepu
Reserves
16. Te Whenua Poihipi
17. Joe Walding-Karaitiana
18. George Taeloa
19. Bradd Forster
20. Logan Henry
21. Alex Ropeti
22. Alex Coventry
23. Aleks Noble-Campbell

Wellington Pride:

1. Sunema Tupuola
2. Alicia Print
3. Noeleen Nonu
4. Sanita Levave
5. Joanah Ngan-Woo
6. Aimee Sutorius
7. Caroline Sio
8. Jackie Patea
9. Agnes Dean
10. Lizzie Goulden
11. Ayesha Leti-l’iga
12. Amanda Rasch
13. Georgia Daals
14. Tina Paulo
15. Vaine Marsters
Reserves:
16. Alice Soper
17. Sauimoana Solia
18. Kirstin Stewart
19. Petra Kirklanova
20. Hinerangi Temara
21. Atalina Milovale
22. Ruby Finau

Wellington Development:

1. Apanui Heemi
2. Valentine Meachen
3. Whetu Henry
4. Nemani Waaka
5. James Blackwell
6. Mateaki Kafatolu
7. Isaac O'Connor
8. Henry Stowers
9. Adam Deck
10. Mike Lealava'a
11. Fereti Soloa
12. Vili Dakunimata
13. Tu Umaga – Marshall
14. Paddy Hughes
15. Jordan Simpson-Hefft
Reserves:
16. Lotu Nuku
18. Gerrard Faitotoa
19. Joe Beech
20. Sam Gard'ner
21. SheridanRangihuna
22. Luke Campbell
23. Max Pearson

Wellington Samoans:

1. Jacob Taituave
2. Zeke Sopoaga
3. Daley Ena
4. Tamilo Va’a
5. Josh To’omaga
6. Galu Taufale (C)
7. James Tuiatua
8. Lucky Tuiatua
9. Ken Kapeli
10. Nua Fono Hunt
11. Teru Time
12. Ben Tuiatua
13. Ryan Setefano
14. Faresa Tasele
15. Joyner Key
Reserves:
16. Eli Hunt
17. Nu’u Lene
18. Pago Haine
19. Josh Hunt
20. Greg Lealofi
21. Konelio Feaunati
22. Jeff Makapelu
23. Lawrence Lotovale

Wellington Samoans U18s (starting XV):

1. Elisaia Fonoti
2. Tanielu Logie
3. Tavita Va'a
4. Lionel Taito
5. William Heather
6 laau Finau
7. Matthias Lima
8. Utu ah Kuoi
9. Brett Taefu
10. Jerry Malua
11. Tai Manava
12. Norman fatialofa
13. Iafeta Rosati
14. Liam taufale
15. Alfraido tosime