Key players back for semi rugby clash

Key players back for semi rugby clash

Horowhenua-Kāpiti will be back to full strength for their Heartland competition Lochore Cup semi-final against Whanganui tomorrow (Oct 11) with the return of experienced players in key positions.

Captain and first five-eighth Kahn Fotuali’i, vice-captain and lock Dallas Wiki, halfback TJ Barnsley and experienced wing Willie Pai’aua were all missing in the narrow loss to South Canterbury last weekend.

All four have been cleared for a return for a match that will give Horowhenua-Kāpiti a chance to win a trophy they have held just once before, in 2018, when they beat Wairarapa Bush 26-23 – the year HKRU celebrated its 125th jubilee.

There are just three players in the current squad to have supped from the Lochore Cup after playing in that final – prop Dave McErlean, flanker Aaron Lahmert and wing Willie Pai’aua.

A Whanganui weather forecast that looks windy and wee bit wet could be to Horowhenua-Kāpiti’s favour, with a big mobile forward pack and some size in the midfield with second five-eighth Emmanuel Solomona and centre Connor Paki.

Should Horowhenua-Kāpiti beat Whanganui tomorrow, it would set up a final against either Poverty Bay in Gisborne, or North Otago in Oamaru.

An under-strength Horowhenua-Kāpiti team went down 31-21 to South Canterbury in what was a good effort considering they were down three tries in the first 15 minutes.

The bounce of the ball went the way of the home team early and the took a big lead early. Horowhenua-Kāpiti fought back and were the dominant side for much of the second half, but were unable to bridge the gap. 

There was plenty at stake for South Canterbury. The win gave them a home semi-final for the Meads Cup against Thames Valley, while the unbeaten Mid Canterbury host Wairarapa Bush at the Ashburton Showgrounds.

Horowhenua-Kapiti were able to blood three debutantes in that match: Josh Sanson, Harry Press and Cameron Bond.

At Fraser Park, Timaru: South Canterbury 31 (Kalavini Leatigaga, Clarence Moli, Sireli Masi 2, Salesitangi Savelio tries, Willie Wright 3 con) beat Horowhenua-Kāpiti 21 (George Jacobs, Joeli Rauka, Pene To’o tries, Rory Woollett 3 con).

Team for Saturday against Whanganui: George Jacobs, Harry Press, Ted Northcott, Dallas Wiki, Mikaere Harvey, Alby Hemopo, Jack Sturmey/Brad Reilly, Pene To’o, TJ Barnsley, Kahn Fotuali’i, Jayson Aquila, Emanual Solomona, Connor Paki, Joeli Rauca, Max Hosking, Jeremy David, David McErlean, Stephen Burnell, Michael Laursen, Tema Tihema/Rory Woollett, Brad Reilly/Aaron Lahmert, Darren Falaniko, Willie Paiaaua.