Premier squad preview part two

Sports News Taranaki looks at the remaining four clubs ahead of the opening weekend of the CMK premier rugby competition.

Today, we feature Coastal, Inglewood, Spotswood United and Southern to complete our preview.

Coastal 

Built on a rugged reputation, Coastal will be no different in 2023. The club retains a lot of its stalwarts including Andrew Trolove, who returns after a year on the sideline, captain Chris Gawler, Jeremy Newell, Rick McKenna, Logan Crowley and Blake Barrett. There is a large crop of new players in the side with former New Plymouth Old Boys’ first XV players selected in the squad including Callum Tito, Beau Pari and Ropata Taylor. They’re joined by former Francis Douglas Memorial College players including brothers Dane and Kurf Hofman and Samuel Drought. There are several players making the step up from the U20 team that won the championship. Kusi Drauna joins the club from Spotswood United and Luka Cassidy is back from England. The side will be coached again by Trent Olliver with help from Ross Sinclair. 

Squad: Blake Barrett, Ben Brophy, Luka Cassidy, Samuel Drought, Harry Foreman, Chris Gawler ©, Tony Hess, Beni Kalin, George Kalin, Mark Martin, Jeremy Newell, Beau Pari, Mathew Picard, Dylan Schuler, Ropata Taylor, Bowen Tasker, Andrew Trolove, Scott Quinnell, Jackson Bennett, Daniel Crowley, Logan Crowley (vc), Kusi Drauna, Jayden Higgins, Dane Hofman, Kurt Hofman, Sean Mare, Rick McKenna, Morne Pistorius, Jackson Sinclair, Kobe Sinclair, Cullum Tito. Coaches: Trent Olliver and Ross Sinclair.  

Inglewood 

It’s taken Inglewood a bit longer than other clubs to pull together its premier squad. But under coaches Chris Masoe and Gavin Muir, the squad is assembled ahead of its 125th jubilee this year. It has a typical feel of experience and youth with former Taranaki hooker Timo Tutavaha, Chris Bayens and Avon Lewis all have played over 100 matches for the club. There will be a number of debutants this year including Tyler Summerfield, Patrick Parker, Jack Redpath and Charl Hayward. After suggestions Christian Fa’avae was moving to Tukapa and Josh Jacomb leaving, both have been named in the squad to provide the stability. Mr Reliable Cody Hall has retired this year but with senior leaders still in the squad, Inglewood isn’t short on experience. 

Squad: Timo Tutavaha, Cam Shotter, Luke Bunn, Tyler Summerfield, Patrick Parker, Jack Redpath, Malakhai Falaniko, Christian Fa’avae, Chris Bayens, Cody Chilcott, Troy Chilcott, Paris Fa’apolou, Jaden Fabish, Richard Clough, Steven Snoxell, Angelo Carberry, Bradley Whitmore, Charl Haywood, James Asi, Hayden Keeling, Avon Lewis, Joel Turnbull, Corbyn Fabish, Josh Jacomb. Coaches: Chris Masoe and Gavin Muir.  

 Spotswood United  

Spotswood United is disappointed to have lost a few players to other clubs this season. But it provides an exciting opportunity to promote and develop some of its colts and Division one players that want to play premier rugby. Matt Goodwin coaches the side this year along with former Samoan international player/coach Paul Perez. A number of players return this season like Perez, Ethan Reti, Kane Perrett, Jack Hartley, Louis Bartley-Saena and Campbell Grayling, which Goodwin says will bring experience, balance and stability to the squad. Former Southland loose forward Arese Poliko headlines the new players along with Izzak Kelly, Jacob Bossi, Noah Bain and Will Inglis, who all join the squad. The team’s aim is to develop a competitive squad whilst developing culture players want to be a part of and thrive.  

Squad: Ailepata Lemalu, Amaani Vercoe-Aoina, Arese Poliko, Ben Carr, Campbell Grayling, Fenni Sofeni, Izzak Kelly, Jacob Bossi, Jhai Maikiri, Jonathan Fidow, Kane Perrett, Mathew Tupa, Nacanieli Ranui, Pita Gus-Sowakula, Rikki Sofeni, Taini Taylor-Tupaea, Tamati Taylor-Tupaea, Will Inglis, Allan Hartley, Daniel Fa’aseu, Denzell Sofeni-Calder, Enele Fidow, Ethan Reti, Ezra Low, Feterika Fidow, Jack Hartley, Josh Perrett, Legend Newton, Louis Bartley-Saena, Malachi Reweti, Noah Bain, Paul Perez, Tutewhenua Tupaea, Viliami Tomu. Coach: Matt Goodwin.  

Southern 

Southern will be led by new coach PJ Gidlow, who played for Doncaster and London Scottish in the England Championship and Rouen in the Federale competition in France between 2010 and 2018. The Hawera-based side has languished in the bottom tier of the competition for a few years but consistently work hard for better results. This year’s squad comprises of the premier and Division one team for the first half of the week, then split on Thursday nights to focus on the individual matches. Former Ireland prop Michael Bent headlines the forward pack, which features season regulars like Trent Pickering. Shay Smith joins the team from Tukapa. Without Cody McGrath and Jackson Ormond in the backline, Southern has included some fresh faces but can still rely on experience from Te Kepa Grindlay, Brent Aston-Landers, Isaiah Graham-Hooper and captain and Taranaki midfielder Meihana Grindlay.  

Squad: Michael Bent, Liam Nelley, Dylan Skipworth, William Chubb, Saia Aholelei, Troy Fowler, Wilson Parata (vc), Luke MacLeod, Shay Smith, Walter Cole, Tom Simson, Trent Pickering, Mahaki Akauola, Juddah Turahui, Quentin Needham, Anani Faafetai, Max Broughton, James Cole, Reegan Corbett, Sean White, Dawson Austin, Meihana Grindlay ©, Brent Aston-Landers, Brendon Hikaka, Mason Laing, Te Kepa Grindlay, Isaiah Graham-Hooper, Robert Peseta, Caleb Kahupukoro, Mack White, Juan Tantrum, Jade Taylor, Benny Katene, Ben Hughes, Tane Leatherby, Seth Fortuin, Tyran Wallace. Coach: PJ Gidlow.