Bay to host NZ universities May 2

Bay to host NZ universities May 2

Source : gisborneherald

POVERTY Bay coach Mutu Ngarimu has rewarded OBM for their strong start to the premier season by including seven players in a 40-man training squad for a game against the New Zealand Universities team here on May 2.

OBM and Bay skipper Murray Hewson is joined in the squad by front-rowers Lance Dickson and Jamie Barnett, openside flanker James Grogan, halfback Willy Grogan, winger George Halley and second five-eighth Jake Holmes for the match to be played under lights at Rugby Park. Dickson and Barnett have long been rated highly by OBM coach Stu Blair, while Halley has done an admiral job filling in for Willy Grogan at halfback. Holmes was impressive for OBM against Ngatapa on Saturday, a game Ngarimu watched.

“I’ve had to name a big squad with club games two days before we take on the universities side,” said Ngarimu. There’s no point in naming a 22-man squad and then finding out players get injured playing for their clubs and having to start ringing around to get a team. The uni side will be tough so we want to put out a strong team.”

The training squad features five players who have yet to play a game this season — Sione Ngatu, Willy Grogan, Kelvin Smith, Aayden Matenga and Carl Riini.

“They’re all getting over injuries and some are due back soon. They’ve all played at this level before and with being a bit light in the backs I wanted Willy, Aayden, Kelvin and Carl in the training squad,” said Ngarimu, who has recruited TK Moeke from Ngati Porou East Coast. TK is one of the most experienced players in the district and he wants to play for us this season.”

Premier competition leaders and reigning Lee Bros Shield champions High School Old Boys and bottom-of-the-table Ngatapa have the biggest representation, with eight players from each club named.

HSOB are once again setting the benchmark on and off the field and it is no surprise they have such a large contingent. However, the inclusion of eight players from a team yet to win this season will surprise some.

“Ngatapa are not as bad a team as their place in the competition suggests,” said Ngarimu.

Among the “bolters” in the squad are lock Leslie Hills, Pirates centre Devonte Martin, Waikohu back Jesse Fleming, Ngatapa forward Manu Kiteau, YMP back Taine Aupouri and Pirates forward Koro Mahingarangi.