Heartland to focus on basics in opener

Heartland Premiers coach Mike Graham will have 12 Manawatu players in his squad of 17 when they meet the South Island in the opening round of the new national competition in Christchurch on Sunday.

The Mid Central Zone region have been branded as Heartland to compete in the Albert Baskerville Trophy, because the organisation felt they were the heartland of New Zealand rugby league.

South Island are predominantly made up of the Canterbury players who won last year's national championship under the old format. But Graham said his side could compete with them if they held on to the ball and completed their sets.

"We are just working on basic things, my philosophy to coaching hasn't changed," he said.

"If you do that sort of stuff, we'll be in there."

Graham said his team had self belief on their side and there was a good feeling in the squad.

"It's really good actually. We had a camp last weekend and that went really well. It's just about getting players together and starting to act like a team.

"We are looking at it as though [South Island] are the benchmark and we'll see how we'll go in this competition and see how quick it is and how tough it is."

The premiers kick off at 3pm at Rugby League Park in Christchurch.

The under-15 and under-17 sides will play at 1.30pm in curtainraisers to the senior competition with the 15s playing for the Nathan Cayless Cup and the 17s the Mark Graham Cup.

Taranaki dominate the age-group sides, with only Manawatu's Robert Lewis and Turanga Reweti (both in the under-15s) selected from the squad of 25.

In other fixtures, Wellington host Waicoa Bay, while Auckland and Counties-Manukau play their first-round clash on September 8 and Northern have the bye.

The new competition is reflective of the seven zones established after the review of rugby league in New Zealand, which was completed last year.

Teams: Heartland Seniors: Jaxon Samoa, Aston Mihaere, Teariki Peneha, Pauly Tuuta, Jaykib Donaldson, Logan Whaitiri, Chey Wereta, Andrew Castles, Valu Laumape, Hemi Rawiri, Michael Wilson, Alby King, Richard Graham; Interchange: Takaroka Peneha, Peta Simmonds, Robert Kuiti, Sione Sifa.

South Island: Jermahl Carroll, Junior Salevao, Manu Weepu, Bruce Havea, Kasi Leka, Simon Mounga, Josh Reuben, Jaye Pukepuke, Kyle Reuben, Alex Todd, James Baxendale, Phil Nati, Agaese Fiso; Interchange: Alex Simpson, Kyle Leka, Shane Tamatea, Phil Dumelow.

Heartland Under-17: Aaron Whitikia, Te Rira Rowlands, Kane Kingi, Isaac Robinson, Lewis Stevenson, Damien Ngati, Jared Verney, Makahesi Makatoa, Jaedyn Eagle, Turoa Quilter, Jesse Perete, Cody Martin, Jade Hintz; Interchange: Fehi Pailete, Bailey Raumati-Katene, Oti Wilson, Nathan Maharey.

Under-15: Israel Davis, Oscar Bound, Paul Faga, Te Huatahi Ngeru, Jalen Luke, Stacey-Lee Tangira, Eli Kneepkens, Jarrod Kumeroa-Mckenna, Jarvis Gotty, PJ Lose, Jarred Morfett, Jade Waretini, Haimona Hiroti; Interchange: Robert Lewis, Shae Raumati-Katene, Rhys Poingdestre, Turanga Reweti.

- © Fairfax NZ News