Newcomers add depth to clubs [Marlborough Express]
"New-look" is very much a term that applies to most Marlborough premier club rugby squads heading into tomorrow's opening round matches with a host of new players coming into the province in search of Tasman Makos selection.
To the clubs' credit they have been much more pro-active off-season, most having boosted their squads, although in some cases just as many players have gone from last year as have come on board for 2012.
Following last night's season opener at Seddon between beaten finalists Awatere and Moutere, there's another mouth-watering clash in prospect tomorrow at Lansdowne Park where Harlequins, already being hailed as one of the favourites to win the title this year, take on a Central team very keen to bounce back following a disappointing campaign in 2011.
There's plenty to get excited about apart from the obvious rivalry which exists between the two Lansdowne Park-based clubs.
Central have 14 new players this season including three impressive potential Tasman Makos players. Kaleni Taetuli is a former Southland Stags No8, Brian Utumapu is a big strong-running loosie from Auckland and halfback Willie Alaiasa, also from Auckland, is a quality recruit.
Loose-forward Reuben Harvey returns from overseas, Charlie Stuttleworth is a mid-fielder, originally from Christchurch, while hooker Sam Cadman from the RNZAF, prop Grey Wratt from the West Coast and fellow front-rower Riley Luke, the latter back following two years out of the game because of injury, are all useful additions.
Last year's Marlborough captain and No8 Reyne Volavola and fellow rep loosie Adam Goldsworthy will be returning from overseas at some stage during the club season.
Regulars returning for another campaign include backs Onolevu Temo, Gareth Smith, Rawiri Tamati and forward Dan Crockett, the only forward from last year's team starting tomorrow.
Losses are Jesse MacDonald to Hawke's Bay, Thomas McFadyen and Fo'ou Tiueti to Australia, while Roger Earl, Greg Hegglun, Dusty Foley and Matt Gibson are not playing.
Neville Saul and Graeme Somerville will again coach the side, assisted this year by Tony Katting, with Warren Cairns as manager.
Harlequins showed early promise last year and enjoyed an improved campaign under coach Graeme Hiku, but injuries and a lack of depth hampered their season.
They have boosted their squad in several key areas, the biggest gains being former Wellington Lions first-five Hayden Cripps and No8 Stu Dalzell from Canterbury Country. Fullback George Millar and mid-fielder Darren Murray return after injury-ravaged seasons in 2011 and Mike Schmidt-Lealava'a is a former Wellington Lions mid-fielder.
Regulars back are halfback and vice-captain Daniel MacDonald, utility back Greg Marfell, the Tau'alupe brothers Richard and Willie, the powerhouse front row of Tim Perry, Simon Muir and Fetu Ieremia, plus Hamish Stevenson, Brayden Green, Gavin Morrison, Aaron Smith, Joel and Brodie Logan, Matt Duggan, Jason Sekai, Cedric Hiller and the returning Nick Allen.
Utility back Greg Knowles, locks Ben Norton and Tom Cretney and forward Will Gerard are all unavailable.
Hiku will again coach the side with former Red Devils coach Richard Cretney, and Don Barrett is team manager.
Defending champions Waitohi host Renwick and the Tohis are a vastly changed team, with 10 gone from the 2011 side including co-coach and lock Troy Looms. Mark Lowbridge, Kenneth Karena, Toby Randall, Bradley Hide, Matthew Burgess, Hayden Woolley, Hayden Gaudin, Scott Ivamy and Les Ivamy have all either left the province or are unavailable.
The biggest blow is news that their 2011 Player of the Season, loose-forward/hooker Vernon Fredericks picked up an injury playing overseas and won't be available until near the end of the club season. In the meantime, he's helping Nathan Peipi with the coaching duties when he returns in a fortnight.
Brilliant first-five Daniel Hawkins is also returning from overseas to play and should be available in a couple of weeks and former New Zealand junior rowing rep Daniel Karena returns from Christchurch, where he played last season for New Brighton and Canterbury B as a loose-forward/lock. Keiran Gaudin makes a return following a season off and starts at hooker tomorrow, alongside props Joel Nicklin and converted loose-forward Manu Mataele.
Loose-forward Joe Stewart has recovered from a serious knee injury and talented back Gannon Karena returns from Perth.
Coach Peipi says his main focus this year is to build a good base for the club and they know every team will be gunning for them as defending champions.
Renwick is the one team which hasn't changed much from last season. Baz Henare is head coach, with Robert-Harrison-Jones stepping down and Matt MacDougall returning to the playing ranks. This year Renwick will combine both their premier and division two teams as one squad at training.
Henare has Neill Rhodes as his assistant, plus Matt McCabe and Kerry Dunn.
As a group they will decide game plans, team structures and selection.
Injuries and at least six players unavailable for the first few weeks mean it may take the Green Machine time to get up to speed, but their starting XV for tomorrow looks strong.
Included in it are prop Ryan McQuillan, locks Sam White and skipper Hamish Greenwood, loose-forwards Hayden Marfell and Amco Cassidy. In the backs are halfback Ryan Schollum, former coach MacDougall at first-five, Kyle Marfell at second and Beejay Bampton returns at centre.
Both matches kick off at 2.35pm tomorrow.
The senior division two competition also begins with Kaikoura hosting Renwick at 2.30pm, Awatere at home in Seddon to Moutere and Harlequins and Central playing at Lansdowne Park ground four, the latter two matches starting at 12.50pm.
The much anticipated Tasman Trophy combined Marlborough/Nelson Bays premier club competition kicks off on May 12.
KEY DATES
April 28: JAB rugby begins
May 12: Tasman Trophy competition starts.
Final, June 23
July 21: Marlborough premier club semifinals
July 28: Grand finals day Marlborough Red Devils
June 4: v Nelson Bays at Lansdowne Park (Cecil Shield)
June 27: v North Canterbury at Lansdowne Park
July 4: v South Canterbury at Manderville
August 4: v Buller at Lansdowne Park (Seddon Shield)
August 11 v West Coast at Lansdowne Park (SS)
August 18: v Nelson Bays at Lansdowne Park (SS)
ITM Cup home matches and Ranfurly Shield challenge for the Tasman Makos.
Saturday, September 1, 8.05pm v Taranaki at New Plymouth (Ranfurly Shield)
Friday, August 24, 8.05pm v Canterbury at Trafalgar Park in Nelson
Wednesday, September 12, 7.35pm v Southland at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim
Sunday, September 16, 2.35pm v Northland at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim
Thursday, October 4, 7.35pm v Bay of Plenty at Trafalgar Park in Nelson
Saturday, October 13, 7.35pm v North Harbour at Trafalgar Park in Nelson
