There were just not quite enough bodies for the McFall Fuel Whanganui Development XV to maintain their perfect season record after a narrow 47-44 loss to Wairarapa Barbarians in Masterton on Saturday.

In the rematch of the 41-7 victory at Spriggens Park in August, this time the Development XV was missing several players promoted from that game into the Steelform Whanganui match-day squad back at Cooks Gardens, and had couple more unavailable to make the trip to the artificial turf at Memorial Park.

“You add a couple of injuries and you drop down to 13 [on the field], and it makes it hard,” said coach Danny Tamehana.

“It was actually a really good game, I said to the boys, ‘roll your socks up and go out there and play rugby’.

“And they did – they were eyes up.”

Covering stop-gaps meant players like promising young flanker Isaac Jordan had to play on the wing, while the starting eight of the forward pack contained six front rowers – sacrificing mobility.

However, one of them can go full speed – as after nearly two months on the sideline recovering from a calf muscle infection, dynamic 17-game Whanganui prop Raymond Salu returned to action.

Despite still having a touch of the flu, on the fast turf Salu got his team on the front foot with devastating carries, scoring a try.

“Those runs of his, unbelievable,” said Tamehana.

Whanganui apprentice player Joseph Cowley likewise impressed at prop, joining Salu in making yards up the middle, while first-five Sheldon Pakinga continued his good form with ball in hand.

Returning skipper Daniel Kauika was having a fine game until untimely injury, and with Whanganui’s bench empty, front rower Raponi Tofa ended up having to cover his halfback position.

Being unable to rotate a fresh reserves bench, Whanganui did not have much left in the tank at the end of the game when they were trying to push for a match-winning try.

“I was still pretty proud of the boys, to be honest, they fought with a lot of mana,” said Tamahana.

By Jared Smith