Busy weekend for Wellington representative teams

Above: Wellington Development hooker Valentine Meachen takes on three defenders in last week’s game against the Wellington Samoans. He starts at hooker tomorrow against Manawatu Development.

Nine of Wellington’s representative teams are in action tomorrow and Sunday against inter-provincial opposition, in games at home at Porirua, Petone and Fraser Park and away at Napier, Blenheim, Masterton and Levin.

At home, the Wellington U19s and the Wellington Development sides are playing a double header at Jerry Collins Stadium in their respective Hurricanes Region U19 and Development tournaments.

The Wellington U19s meet Manawatu for the Central Region Shield, currently held by Wellington. Kick-off is at 1.00pm and will also be carried live on Hurricanes Radio on 1161AM, shot by Chainsaw Photos and reported on by Club Rugby.

The winner of the match will take the trophy and the title of U19 Seeding Tournament champion for 2015. The winner will also be the top seed from the Hurricanes Region, having the most favourable draw in Taupo.

The top seed will play the second-qualifier from the Chiefs region in Round 1 at Taupo, while the loser will play the top seed from the Chiefs Region.

The U19 Hurricanes Barbarians and the Hawke’s Bay U19s meet in Napier in the other match. Having already lost to Manawatu and Wellington, Hawke’s Bay will play in the bottom half of the draw in Taupo.

The Wellington Development side meets Manawatu Development in the second round of the Central Region Development XV competition. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Both teams are coming off opening round bonus point wins in this competition, Wellington Development beating the Wellington Samoans 50-31 and Manawatu Development defeating the Hawke’s Bay Saracens 37-15.

The Wellington Samoans travel to Napier to play the Hawke’s Bay Saracens in the other Development competition match.

The Wellington Pride host the Counties-Manukau Heat in Round 5 of the Women’s NPC at Petone Recreation Ground at 12.30pm.

The Wellington Pride are expecting a tough physical battle from Counties Manukau, who are an aggressive, experienced team with a number of ex-Auckland Storm players and are considered title contenders.

Both teams come into this clash having won two and lost one of three competition matches thus far. Last weekend the Pride beat Hawke’s Bay 43-18, whilst the Heat pushed the Storm close in missing out 29-35.

The Pride won’t be at full strength for this encounter, with some players and supporters, including athletic lock/flanker Joanah Ngan-Woo away, which has meant a reshuffle in the 22.

The Pride have also lost Raukawa Tuhuru (arm strain) for at least this week and Hinerangi Temara (fractured hand) and Janet Tumoli (suspected ACL) for the rest of the season. 

In two other matches at home tomorrow, the Wellington U16 Development side meets Horowhenua-Kapiti at Porirua Park #2 at 1.00pm and the Wellington Samoans U18s play Wanganui U18s on the Fraser Park Artificial at 1.00pm.

The Wellington Maori Men’s team are away in Blenheim for a match against Tasman Maori on Sunday.

Wellington Maori kick-off at Landsdowne Park at 2.20pm and is the curtain-raiser to the Tasman Makos versus Auckland ITM Cup match.

This is the final match of the season for the Wellington Maori side, so they are motivated to cross the water and finish off strongly.

In two other away fixtures, the Wellington U18s play Wairarapa-Bush at Masterton at 1.45pm and the Centurions U21s meet Horowhenua-Kapiti at Levin at noon.

 
Team lists for tomorrow and Sunday (as received, all teams subject to change)

Wellington U19s:

1. Delano Morkel
2. Josh Houston Tupou
3. Tao-Roi Lupo
4. Bradd Forster
5. Anthony Pettett
6. Te Whenua Poihipi
7. Daniel Shcrijvers
8. Patrick Fenika
9. Kaide McCashin
10. Piri Paraone
11. Jarrod Adams
12. Lester Maulolo
13. Pepesana Patafilo
14. Samoa Mamoemausu
15. Josh Robertson-Weepu
Reserves
16. Joe Karaitiana
17. George Taeloa
18. Paasi Fine
19. Vern Sosefo
20. Ale Peni
21. Logan Henry
22. Alex Ropeti
23. Aleks Noble-Campbell

Wellington Development:

1. Gerrard Taiotoa
2.Valentine Meachen
3. Whetu Henry
4. Nemani Waaka
5. Liam Hallam Eames
6. Mateaki Kafatolu
7. Sam Gard’ner
8. Teariki Ben-Nicholas
9. Sheridan Rangihuna
10. Fa’atonu Fili
11. Jordan Simpson-Hefft
12. Mike Lealava’a
13. Isaia Petelo
14. Paddy Hughes
15. Tau Mamea
Reserves:
16. Lotu Nuku
17. Marcus Roil
18. Apanui Heemi
19. Joe Beech
20. Isaac O’Connor
21. Luke Campbell
22. Vili Dakunimata
23. Matt Goosen

Wellington Maori:

1. Morgan Poi
2. Apirana McMillan Parata
3. Kenny Anderson
4. Mike Cromie
5. Mannasah Wineera
6. Jarrod Burnett
7. Tane McMillan-Parata
8. Tuakana Metuarau
9. Sean Hay
10. Greg Mullany
11. Andrew Ellis
12. Jarrod Henry
13. Trevor Marama
14. Andrew Hanara
15. Tiwi Davies
Reserves:
16. Mykel Herewini
17. Eugene Smith
18. Dean Popata
19. TK Bishop
20. Kewa McMillan Parata
21. Keanu Moran
22. Josh Fifita
23. Joshua Nanai

Wellington Samoans:

1. Daley Ena (Norths)
2. Zek Sopoaga (OBU)
3. Nu'u Lene (Ories)
4. Taamilo Vaa (Petone)
5. Galu Taufale (Poneke)
6. Josh Hunt (Upper Hutt Rams)
7. James Tuiatua (MSP)
8. Lucky Tuiatua (Ories)
9. Danny Tusitala (OBU)
10. Nua Fono Hunt (Upper Hutt Rams)
11. Jeff Makapelu (Johnsonville Hawks)
12. Konelio Feunati (Norths)
13. Ben Tuiatua (Ories)
14. Faresa Tasele (Poneke)
15. Joyner Key (Upper Hutt Rams)
Reserves:
16. Eli Hunt (Upper Hutt Rams)
17.Jacob Taituave (MSP)
18.Steve Faa'tau (Ories)
19. Pago Haini (MSP)
20. TBC
21. Visesio Luamanu (Upper Hutt Rams)
22. Asafo Faamafu (Norths)

Wellington U18s:

1. Ben Aumua-Peseta (St Pat's Town)
2. Sitiveni Paongo (Wellington College)
3. Ivan Fepuleai (St Pat's Silverstream)
4. Henry Mexted (Scots College)
5. Gus Stone (St Pat's Town)
6. Ezra Seiuli (Rongatai College)
7. Jack Nelson-Murray (St Pat's Town)
8. Junior Foaitua (St Bernard's College)
9. Ryan Fraser (St Pat's Silverstream)
10. Keaton Te Amo (St Pat's Silverstream)
11. Brandon Mudzekenyedzi (Heretaunga College)
12. Jayden Treviranus (Upper Hutt College)
13. Kerrod Foaese (Marist St Pat's)
14. Malachai Unasa (Rongatai College)
15. Reece Plumtree (Wellington College)
Reserves:
16. Penieli Poasa (St Pat's Town)
17. Daniel Leone (Tawa College)
18. Josh Michael (Wellington College)
19. Hannon Brighouse (St Pat's Town)
20. Sam Fox (Scots College)
21. Foliga Va'alepu-Austin (Bishop Viard College)
22. Willie Fine (St Bernard's College)

Wellington Samoans U18s:

1. Albert Latailakepa
2. Tanielu Logie
3. Dorian Tato
4. Lionel Taito
5. Utu Ah Kuoi
6. Laau Finau
7. Anapapa Siale
8. Bailey MacDonald
9. Richard Misilifi Faimalo
10. Jerry Malua
11. Luese Moemai
12. Norman Fatialofa
13. Connor Fuli
14. Tai Manava
15. Tiuuli Tialia
Reserves:
16. Shekinah Neru
17. Brandon Va'a
18. Elisaia Fonoti
19. Tavita Va'a
20. Matthias Lima
21. Hinkley Siaosi
22. Alfraido Tosime
23. Liam Taufale