Tasman rugby team named

A Tasman Rugby Union high performance squad has been named for a forthcoming fixture against a Cook Islands XV.

Thirty-three players have been selected for the fixture, to be played at Trafalgar Park on Wednesday July 7, with a 1pm kick-off.

The vast majority of the players are based at Nelson clubs, with just the Central trio of Quentin MacDonald, Sitakeli Baker and Timoci Tavatavanawai, plus Waitohi’s Tim O’Malley, hailing from this side of the hill.

Players in the HP squad will be vying for places in the 2021 Tasman Mako team for the Bunnings Warehouse NPC competition, with a limited number of spots available after the contracted Super Rugby contingent return.

The Tasman HP squad is: Amanaki Vaematahau (Stoke), Apetone Vaka (Wanderers), Campbell Parata (Waimea Old Boys), Christopher Halaufia (Wanderers), Isaac Salmon (Nelson), Jack Grooby Stoke), Jacob Norris (Marist), Kershawl Sykes-Martin (Nelson), Leopino Maupese (Marist), Levi Aumua (Kahurangi), Louie Chapman (Kahurangi), Macca Springer (Waimea Old Boys), Mahonri Ngakuru (Wanderers), Matt Graham Williams (Stoke), Michael Stringer (Waimea Old Boys), Mitchell Barry (Waimea Old Boys), Monu Moli (Wanderers), Quentin MacDonald (Central), Rahari Witehira (Marist), Ryan Coxon (Wanderers), Sam Matenga (Kahurangi), Saul Lewis (Stoke), Sitaleki Baker (Central), Sosefo Vaka (Wanderers), Taina Fox Matamua (Marist), Taine Robinson (Stoke), Taya Brown (Waimea Old Boys), Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta (Stoke), Tim O’Malley (Waitohi), Timoci Tavatavanawai (Central), William Havili (Kahurangi).

Not available for selection were Nelson’s Anton Segner and Kahurangi’s Luca Inch, who have NZ under-20 commitments, Sam Moli from Wanderers, who is part of the Tongan national team, plus Central’s Braden Stewart and Renwick’s Zac Harrison Jones who are both injured.