Tupou Lea’aemanu [with ball] is one of five players named from the Carterton club. PHOTO/FILE
RUGBY
CHRIS COGDALE
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Nine Wairarapa-Bush players have made the Hurricanes Under-20 Heartland squad to play for the Central Region Shield.
Wai-Bush Heartland squad prop Tupou Lea’aemanu is one of five players named from the Carterton club, who finished runners-up in the premier club championship.
Joining him are wing Fiula Tameilau, centre Aisea Sakopo, hooker Sonetane Vatuvei, and lock Logan Wakefield.
Pioneer loose forward KJ Rimene, Marist prop Stan Wright, Martinborough prop Caedman Hawkins, and Greytown outside back Joseph Te Naihi are the other players named
Wai-Bush finished runners-up in the Hurricanes Heartland Championship, with one win from their three games. The Green and Reds started with a 19-26 loss to Poverty Bay in Napier, followed by a 44-21 bonus point win over Whanganui, and a 10-18 defeat to winners Poverty Bay in Sunday’s final.
The Heartland Under-20s will play Wellington, Manawatu, and Hawke’s Bay over three consecutive Saturdays from August 21 to September 4.
That could impact on Lea’aemanu’s involvement for the first three weeks of the Heartland Championship, with the powerful prop considered a good prospect of making the Hurricanes Under-20s.
