Turbos Set to Benefit

Interview and Article by Emma Gribben

The Manawatu Turbos are building up with excitement as they get set to face off against Southland in their first ITM Cup match for the season this Saturday at FMG Stadium, Palmerston North.

They still have a lot to work on after the pre-season, and even with their loss against Hawke's Bay last week in their final pre-season match, the squad showed a huge improvement particularly with the set piece forming greater speed and accuracy in the lineout.

Assistant coach Bruce Hemara says the focus this week has been on working what the squad did not know during the pre-season, building the intensity of defence, body position and other technical aspects. "We have been planning our game around what we have seen of Southland and where we can benefit". Team building has also been a focus for the Turbos this week.

Southland has shown a strong defence and powerful attack during their pre-season matches against Wanganui and North Otago in which they retained the Ranfurly Shield. "Southland is putting their best side forward and a number of their players have a lot of Super14 experience. They have a big forward pack so the boys are going to have to work really hard so we can expect a very tough game full of intensity", says Hemara.

Being the first ITM Cup game for the season the atmosphere within the team is full of excitement, particularly for those boys who will be taking to the pitch for the first time as a Turbo. "Everyone has been working really hard and there is a high expectation on our performance", says Hemara.

Turbos Coach Dave Rennie and Assistant Coach Bruce Hemara have also selected Nick Crosswell to captain the side this season. "He ticks all the boxes that we expect from a captain. He has experience, respect within the team and he leads by example", says Hemara.

A number of the squad will also be missing out on their Senior Club Semi-finals when Varsity take on College Old Boys and Feilding Old Boys Oroua take on Kia Toa. Hemara says that it's unfortunate that those boys can't play for their clubs but playing for the Turbos is where they want to be.

The Turbos last met the Stags at home in 2008 where they suffered a 5-18 loss, although last season the Turbos pipped the Stags in Invercargill by two points taking the game 25-23.

Gates open at 12:30pm with Kick-off at 2:35pm.
Click here for Game Day Information

Turbos Squad v Southland

1. Grant Polson
2. Sean O'Connor
3. Ma'afu Fia
4. Michael Fitzgerald
5. Reece Robinson
6. Nick Crosswell (c)
7. Doug Tietjens
8. Mitchell Crosswell
9. Aaron Smith
10. Isaac Thompson
11. Lote Raikabula
12. Francis Bryant
13. Hadleigh Parkes
14. Shannon Paku
15. Craig Clare
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16. Rob Foreman
17. Shane Kingsland
18. Hamish Gosling
19. James Oliver
20. Karl Bryson
21. Tomasi Cama
22. Casey Stone