Some key personnel return to the King Country Rams just as the side faces the New Zealand Universities for the first time.
The chance to play NZ Universities came after that side’s negotiations to play the NZ Heartland XV fell over, King Country Rugby general manager Kurt McQuilkin said.
“We jumped all over it, and then we realised that it will be the first ever fixture between the two sides, adding to the enormity of the match.
“Those big touring sides like the British and Irish Lions would always have a game against the NZ Universities and in some cases they were considered as another test match … so we’re pretty honoured.”
The Rams, named on July 24, play their first Heartland Championship game against Poverty Bay in Gisborne on August 21 so the NZ Universities fixture in Te Kūiti on August 14 will be the team’s final pre-season preparation.
“This is the first week that we’ve got almost the full squad together which is great. I’m really excited to see what these boys coming back can do to give us a bit of an edge, particularly in the back line,” head coach Craig Jeffries said on August 10.
Returning to training was the powerful Taumarunui Districts midfield duo of Mosese Baravilala and Josevata Malimole and Taupō Sports loose forward Sisa Vosaki, who finds himself starting on the wing.
Tongariro second five-eighth Maximus Dunster is eyeing his Rams debut as he returns from a shoulder injury, while 140kg prop Joe Curuki will bring impact off the bench.
United Matamata Sports player Alex Thrupp and Fraser Tech’s Valynce Te Whare will also feature in the run-on XV at wing and fullback respectively as they fill in for unavailable loan players Sio Tapili and Kody McGovern.
The Rams pre-season results to date make for grim reading: a 78-14 defeat by Hawke’s Bay Development in Taupō on July 31 and a 55-5 loss to Taranaki Development in New Plymouth on August 7.
Jeffries is convinced the first-class fixture against NZ Universities will give a better idea of the King Country team’s potential.
“There are some real positives … we’ve just got to focus on them and move forward,” Jeffries said.
The NZ Universities XV comes to Te Kūiti hunting a second win after downing the Thames Valley Swamp Foxes 20-17 in Te Aroha in the first match of their short two-game season.
Jeffries has identified an energetic loose forward unit and skilful, straight and hard-running backs as their key areas of strength.
Rugby Park will also host the respective North v South King Country U45kg and U13 trials from 11am, followed by the curtain-raiser between the King Country Big Horns Development side and the Taranaki Māori at 1pm.
Entry at the gate is $5, children under 16 years old free.
King Country Rams: Carl Carmichael (captain), Nick Barnes, Dan Ross, Cruise Dunster, Josh Coffin, Karney Dunster, Bobby Sharp, Reeve Satherley, Liam Wano, Kauri Coffin, Sisa Vosaki, Mosese Baravilala, Josevata Malimole, Alex Thrupp, Valynce Te Whare, Sam Stewart, Josevata Curuki, Isaac Griffin, Bradly Jeffries, Sam Trangmar, Nathaniel Smith, Maximus Dunster, Diego Rangi.
New Zealand Universities 2021 squad: Sam Lester, Harrison Dakin, Takaji Young Yen, Tumama Tu’ulua, Kale Thatcher, Julian Goreke, Cameron Church, Kalin Felise, Henry Saker, Shun Miyake, Maile Koloto, Isaac Leota, Noah Foster, Te Wehi Wright, Ryan Barnes, Harry Press, Joel Wisnewski, Joshua Policarpio, Tiaki Fabish, Nathan Harris, Kieran McClea, Iziq Foai, Jermaine Pepe, Bill Coman, Eli Margison, Korie Winters.
Credit: Stuff.co.nz
