posted by BOP Rugby - 06/07/2010
Media Release 6 July 2010
The Bay of Plenty Wasps who will take on Counties Manukau on Wednesday at Moore Park in Katikati on Wednesday (7 July 2010) have named a mixture of youth and experience in their line-up.
For the third successive year, the BOP Wasps have given their support to the Bay of Plenty Rugby pre-season representative preparations. The Wasps Club is a group of former Bay of Plenty players and administrators who foster and support rugby in the region
One youngster in the Wasps squad is Carl Axtens, who was a pupil at Reporoa College this time last year. The Reporoa loose forward earned selection in the New Zealand Secondary Schools team last year, after earlier making the New Zealand Under 17 squad.
Axtens graduated to National selection, by way of the Bay of Plenty rugby pathway of age group representative teams, which is the same path that has taken Tanerau Latimer to All Black selection.
A number of the Wasps team to face Counties Manukau, earned selection from strong performances in the recent PGG Wrightson Sub-Union series. Steven Schenk made his mark in the Sub-Union series being awarded one of the three player of the match trophies.
There is also plenty of experience in the side to meet Counties Manukau. Former Steamers Wayne Hughson and Aaron Rameka won’t be fazed by the Counties squad, who are preparing for the ITM Cup.
The side has an abundance of quality goal kickers in the squad. Kelly Haimaona has been a prolific points scorer in Bay of Plenty club and representative rugby for a number of seasons, with Rotoiti youngster Whakataki Cunningham one of the form kickers in Premier club rugby this year.
Bay of Plenty Wasps Squad v Counties Manukau 7 July 2010 at Moore Park Katikati @3pm
Daniel Schuster, Simon Chisholm (captain) Mark Nicolaas, Mata McGrath, Aron Rameka, Steven Schenk, Chris Elvin, Callum Armstrong, Chris Van der Vlught, Kelly Haimona, Sikeli Bola, Zion Nordstrom, Wayne Hughson, Paula Asaeli, Steven Honey, Hori Leef, Pingi Talapitaaga, Cori Marsters, Sam Mayes, Carl Axtens, Adam Robinson, Steven Wallace, Whakataki Cunningham, Doug Edwards. Afai Eseru.
Head Coach: Clayton McMillan Assistant Coach: Rodney Gibbs
Manager: Bruce Buckton Assistant Manager. Paul Fairweather
Trainer: Abby Galenoski Physio: Cory Stunell
For Further Information Contact
Mike Rogers BOPRU Operations Manager
DDI 07 927 1316 029 478 4292
