By Stu Piddington

The first South Canterbury Heartland training squad of the season has been announced with coach Nigel Walsh spreading his net wide.

A total of 38 players, including 21 forwards and 17 backs, will be put through their paces in the pre-season testing.

Walsh said he and fellow coaches Shaun Breen and Chris Gard had been happy with what they had seen in the first round of the Hamersley Cup.

The new coach stressed it was only the first squad and others could get opportunities later if they performed well.

"The door is not shut on any players, this is just the initial squad."

Walsh said he still had his eye on a couple of the younger players and also there were some new arrivals to club rugby who were not considered this time around.

"There are some young fellas knocking on the door and even here (in Waimate) a couple of new boys who impressed. Like I said, the door is not shut but we can only look at so many players at the start."

Walsh said it was also important to see who could take the jump up to Heartland rugby.

"While it's a fitness training session we want to have a look at the players' mindsets and willingness to take the next step.

"We will also be giving players one-on-one work-ons and look how they react to that in the second round."

Defending champions Celtic have the most players in the training squad with nine, while table topping Temuka are next best with six.

All eight senior clubs have players being considered for selection with midfielder Joel Smith Geraldine's sole representative, while Old Boys have three backs, centre Polutele Soa, wing Lyric Faolua and utility Brad Tunnicliffe, in the mix.

There are also 14 players back from last season's side which made the Meads Cup final with a number of that side having since moved out of the province.

Walsh was happy with the balance of the side.

"We will see where we are at after the training runs."

He had also been in contact with some possible loan players but wasn't in a position to confirm any.

"We have had some initial discussions with players but nothing definite. Canterbury rugby have been good to us over the past couple of years and it's fair to say we are looking there again."

The gaps in depth appear to be the same as previous seasons, with a big lock, first five and outside back needed most to bolster the squad.

Of those new to the province, Waimate loose forward Anathony Amato was in the North Otago Heartland team and looks a good player, while Temuka's South African No.8  Philip Fuls has been hard to stop ball in hand.

Harlequins loose forwards Pita Halaifonua and Siu Kakala are handy, while Pleasant Point hooker Cameron Hucker also gets an opportunity.

In the backs, Temuka's new first five Faalele Losua is a well deserved inclusion along with midfielder Smith. Old Boys centre Polutele Soa looks a classy player, while wing Lyric Faolua also gets an opportunity along with Harlequin's new centre Molitani Latu.

Training will be at the Southern Trust Events Centre on May 15, at 5.45pm.

SC Heartland training squad

Forwards: Matt Fetu, Dominic Visesio, Viliame Logavatu, Matt Stewart, Tom Fleming, Nick Strachan (Celtic), Tokomaata Fakatava, Anathony Amato, Loni Toumohuni (Waimate), Ben Hewitson, Cameron Hucker (Pleasant Point), Aifala Taelega, Junior Faavae, Solomone Lavaka, Semisi Paseka, Philip Fuls (Temuka), Johnny Andrews, Cam Russell (Mackenzie), Pita Halaifonua, Siu Kakala (Harlequins)

Backs: Willie Wright, Zac Saunders, Willie Taylor (Celtic), George Lott, Jared Trevathan (Mackenzie), Theo Davidson, Miles Medlicott (Waimate), Faalele Losua, Kalavini Leatigaga (Temuka), Joel Smith (Geraldine), Polutele Soa, Lyric Faolua, Brad Tunnicliffe (Old Boys), Molitani Latu, Leonie Nuwalu, Maile I'Ongi (Harlequins), James Wilson Bishop (Pleasant Point)

Article added: Monday 13 May 2019