Massive Saturday of Whanganui vs Taranaki games

By Jared Smith

It will be a massive afternoon of Whanganui vs Taranaki rugby across the Hicks Park fields in front of the TSB Hub grandstand in Hawera on Saturday.

As well as the feature game of Steelform Whanganui against Taranaki Development XV, the weekend will feature Whanganui Maori, Pasifika, and Under 20’s teams in action.

This will be the second season for Pasifika representative rugby, which replaces the previous format of Samoa teams competing in the central North Island.

A 26-man squad has been identified by coach Ace Malo, and have their second training hit out at the Kaierau Country Club on Thursday night.

Numbers were a little light at the initial roll call on Tuesday, as Malo said those that he did have worked with the Whanganui Under 20’s squad, coached by Mike Lama.

“We’ll see what numbers we get tomorrow. Might end up putting my boots on – hopefully not.”

The players identified include many from the Premier rugby grade – specifically Ngamatapouri and Kaierau, while from the Senior competition, Pirates players feature notably.

“Only a few that played in the 2020 game, a lot of them are new guys,” said Malo.

Whanganui Pasifika met Taranaki Pasifika, who had played four matches beforehand, at Cooks Gardens in October last year, with the home side coming back from 17-0 down to lead 24-22, until a fumble on their tryline near fulltime saw Taranaki snatch the game 29-24.

Also hoping for stronger numbers on Thursday is new Whanganui Maori coach Duane Brown, as with four representative levels playing at the same time, his numbers were likewise light at Cullinane College on Tuesday.

However, Brown has been working through a list of 2020 players to confirm a few extras, while a handful sent apologies on Tuesday but confirmed their commitment.

With the Heartland squad having 31 players in Hawera, it is possible Brown may get a couple to fill out his roster for their now-annual clash for the 125-year-old Tuera Shield.

Taranaki sent a strong team to regain the Shield of a makeshift Whanganui side at Cooks Gardens last October, winning 72-0.

The year before in Hawera, a more inexperienced Taranaki Maori lost the shield 32-12 against a Whanganui team bolstered by Heartland Championship veterans.

Whanganui Maori will also play Manawatu Maori and Whanganui Pasifika in August, while Brown hopes to take as strong a squad as possible to the Te Tini a Maui Tournament, which at this stage is set for October 30 on the East Coast.

“Still the goal to work to that tournament – it’s just week by week. But by then the Heartland championship [will be finished], as well as the Under 20’s and even the Under 18’s.”

Kickoff for games on multiple Hicks Park fields on Saturday is 2pm.