Wellington Pride, U19s, Samoans playing at home tomorrow

Above: Henry Stowers soars high for the Wellington U19s against Taranaki last weekend. The U19s return to Porirua Park to host Hawke's Bay tomorrow

Representative rugby around the Wellington region gathers steam tomorrow with visiting teams from Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay set to make a splash in Wellington, while four other local teams are on the road in Levin, Palmerston North and Napier.

Dire weather predicted won't put a dampener on the Bay of Plenty Volcanix's arrival to the Petone Recreation Ground for their 12.30 pm kick-off in the fifth round of the Women's NPC, with both teams desperate to register a tick in the wins column.

Both have missed out in their opening four games of the Women's NPC competition so far. The Pride have lost to Manwatu (10-22), Otago (12-33), Auckland (3-48) and Canterbury (13-33). The Volcanix are coming off a 5-45 defeat to Auckland at home in Rotorua last weekend. Heading into this match against the Pride the Volcanix have played the top four teams this season, losing to Otago (5-38), Canterbury (0-56), Waikato (0-48) and to Auckland.

Extra commitment and urgency will be the catch-cry of the Pride against Bay of Plenty, after competing for long periods but missing out on opportunities at vital times in last week's unsuccessful challenge match for the JJ Stewart Trophy against defending champions Canterbury.

The Pride only trailed Canterbury 12-6 at halftime and they then rattled Canterbury with a converted try scored by prop Muteremoana Aiatu. But discipline cost the Pride and Canterbury knocked over three penalties and went to a 21-13 lead. The home side then pulled away with two tries in the final several minutes.

As always, entry is free to Pride matches.

There are two matches scheduled for Porirua Park, with the Wellington Samoans hosting the Hawke's Bay Saracens (Hawke's Bay Development) at 12.00 pm and the Wellington U19s squaring off against the Hawke's Bay U19s at 1.45 pm.

The Hurricanes region U19 Seeding Tournament heads into its final weekend of round-robin matches. Following wins over Manawatu (33-15) and Taranaki (25-20) the Wellington U19s can seal the number one Hurricanes region ranking heading into next week's new national U19 tournament in Taupo.

Hawke's Bay have so far lost their two matches to Taranaki (18-29) and Manawatu (8-23).

In the other match, Taranaki hosts Manawatu in New Plymouth in a must-win fixture for both teams, in order to qualify for the Top 8 section of the national tournament draw.

The final round of the Hurricanes U19 Heartland Development Series is in Palmerston North. The two matches will see the Wellington Samoans Secondary Schools team play Wairarapa-Bush and Wanganui and Horowhenua-Kapiti square off.

From these teams and others around the country, a New Zealand Heartland U19 team has been selected today to play in the upcoming national tournament.

The Wellington U18s have a bye tomorrow in the Hurricanes U18 competition. They were due to play Poverty Bay in Napier but the latter has pulled out of this competition. Instead, the Wellington U18s will play the Northern United RFC Academy, in a non-competition match.

Poverty Bay's withdrawal leaves three teams playing only two of three scheduled competition fixtures. As a result, an additional round has been proposed for Saturday 4 October, subject to confirmation.

The Wellington Centurions U18s are in action tomorrow against Hawke's Bay U18 in Palmerston North, while East Coast plays Wairarapa-Bush in Masterton in the other.

The Hurricanes region U16 Tournament is being held in Napier between 29 September and 2 October.

Both Wellington teams are playing warm-up matches this weekend. The Wellington U16As are playing the Western Bays U16s at Te Whaea tonight at 7.00 pm and the Wellington U16 Development side is playing the Horowhenua-Kapiti U18s in Levin tomorrow in the curtain-raiser to the Horowhenua-Kapiti - Wairarapa-Bush Heartland Championship fixture.

In an all-academy match, the Western Bays and Ken Gray Academy sides meet at the Petone Recreation Ground at 1.00 am.

The Wellington Development side is playing the first of four consecutive matches against inter-provincial opposition tomorrow when they take the field in Palmerston North at 1.00 pm against their Manawatu counterparts.

Following this, the Development team is scheduled to play away games against the Hawke's Bay Saracens on 27 September, Tasman on 4 October and Bay of Plenty on 11 October.

Some teamlists for Saturday's matches (added below as received, all teams subject to change):

Wellington U19s:

1. Andrew Mamea, 2. Jordan Leulai, 3. Tao-Roi Lupo, 4. Jack Ross, 5. James Blackwell, 6. Sam Wasley, 7. Liam Doughty, 8. Henry Stowers, 9. Luke Campbell, 10. Chase Tiatia, 11. Fereti Soloa, 12. Willie Tufui, 13. Wesley Goosen, 14. Francis Tanuvasa, 15. Aleks Noble-Campbell RESERVES 16. Sam Dawson, 17. Liam Hallam-Eames, 18. Te Ariki Ben Nicholas, 19. Jordan Glen-Bradbrook, 20. Troy Mohr, 21. Faraimo Nofoaiga, 22. TBC.

Wellington Samoans: 1. Daly Ena, 2. Zeke Sapoaga, 3. Elia Fonoti, 4. Ta'amilo Va'a, 5. Augustine Escalona, 6. Galu Taufale (C), 7. Joshua Hunt, 8. Ben Tupuola, 9. Phillip Finau, 10. Dudley Parsons, 11. Joyner Key (VC), 12. Konelio Feaunati, 13. Teru Time, 14. Afa Fa'atau, 15. Kalim Kelernete RESERVES 16. Vince Sakaria, 17. Soti Fa'amausili, 18. Fala Tuala, 19. Junior Makapelu, 20. Gavin Roil, 21. lsaia Petelo,22. Faresa Tasaele, 23. Tuga Mativa

Hawke's Bay Saracens:

1. Jarvy Aoake, 2. Tivaini Fomai, 3. Mark Braidwood, 4. Scott Wielinga / Hugh Graham, 5.?? Geoff Cridge, 6. Andrew Gardner, 7. Tom Burns, 8. Mark Atkins, 9. Isaac Paewai, 10. Tyrone Elkington-McDonald, 11. Dan McIntyre, 12. Tane McGuire, 13. Ted Walters, 14. Noa Uaisele, 15. J'ndre Liebenberg RESERVES: 16. Mikey Sosene-Feagai, 17. Ezrah Amituani, 18. Hugh Graham/Sean Skeet, 19. Joseph Penitito, 20. Kaleb Sweet, 21. Adam Ross, 22. Leo Eneliko

Wellington Development:

1. Apanui Heemi, 2. Hunter Prescott, 3. Whetu Henry, 4. James Wall, 5. Nemani Waaka, 6. Murphy Taramai, 7. Greg Leolofi, 8. Kaipati Gualofa, 9. Jared Kahu, 10. Fa'atonu Fili, 11. Kuso Tuitama, 12. Jason Henry, 13. Marvin Karawana, 14. Tomasio Alosio, 15. Tau Mamea RESERVES: 16. Anaru Rangi, 17. Marcus Roil, 18. Greg Foe, 19. Taniela Moa, 20. Jack Taulapapa, 21. Nick Grigg, 22. Ryan Setefano

Wellington Pride:

1.?Muteremoana Aiatu, 2. ?Fuamai Taumoli, 3. Annie Mativa, 4. Courtney Clarke, 5. Jackie Patea, 6. Carol Sio, 7. Kirstin Stewart, 8. Aimee Sutorius, 9. Kauna Lopa, 10. Elizabeth Goulden, 11. Jessika Akavi, 12. Maryann Collins, 13. Lilian Mapu, 14. Lauren Harris, 15. Jamie McIntosh RESERVES: 16.? Alice Soper, 17.? Janet Taumoli, 18.? Rebecca Burns, 19.? Gina Williamson, 20.? Acacia Claridge, 21.? Georgia Daals, 22.?Timena Tuma'ai

Bay of Plenty Volcanix:

1. Baye Jacob, 2. Animei Skudder, 3. Ruta Wall, 4. Calli Turner (vc), 5. Natalie Delamere, 6. Jimi Leigh McLean, 7. Kendra Reynolds, 8. Luka Connor, 9. Takiri Butler (c), 10. Billie Raynes, 11. Tamia Dinsdale, 12. Chanelle Rata Makene, 13. Hana Tapiata, 14. Dolly Tamai, 15. Morgan Morrow
RESERVES: 16. Anahera Mohi, 17. Donna-ann Livingstone, 18. Jamie Haumaha, 19. Terri King, 20. Ashleigh Nathan, 21. Nadine Stone, 22. Sorrento Bockman-Rurehe