It will be a challenging preseason for Steelform Whanganui as first they face international legends, and then potential NPC stars of the future.

The wider squad began training in earnest this week and will go into a camp on Saturday in Whanganui after the conclusion of a gripping Tasman Tanning Premier competition, reflected in the wider representative selections with roughly 9-10 players per club getting named.

 “It shows you what the balance of the teams are - the balance of the competition,” said coach Jason Hamlin.

“Assemble Saturday, just have a camp to solidify a few things, a couple more trainings and then we’ll roll into that Classics game.”

Hamlin still wishes to have a larger and therefore longer top grade in 2026, especially given this year once again a number of veterans have stepped aside both from club footy and therefore representative as well.

“I think there’s going to be some new names there, some boys getting their first taste of provincial rugby, that’s why I want that [higher] level of club competition in Whanganui - so we can get a gauge on them and see where they are.

“There’s some tidy players there, and we saw last night [Tuesday] at training the boys got in and just got into stuff, and you can see there’s a fair bit of talent around.”

Champions Byford Readimix Taihape actually has the smallest contingent, but this is due to a number of departures from the initial wider training squad named in May.

Prop Gabriel Hakaraia (55 games), fullback Tyler Rogers-Holden (37) have withdrawn, while former professional utility back Te Rangatira Waitokia (16 Whanganui games, 43 total) broke his leg playing for Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau, and his clubmate Joe Edwards (15) was also going to step away even before his arm injury in the final.

Losing Edwards on top of the rotator cuff injury to young Kaierau hooker Kohlt Coveny left Whanganui a little shy in the rake department, as did the fact all three incumbent halfbacks from 2024 have moved onto other things.

But to help replenish the depth, the team has looked outside their borders with potential imports Matt Picard and Cody Mitchell.

“They both reached out earlier in the year, they just wanted an opportunity. They’ve both sort of done it of their own steam,” said Hamlin.

Picard, a hooker who can also play prop if required, was a fixture in his Coastal team’s run to the Taranaki Premier final, where they lost to defending champions Stratford-Eltham on Saturday.

“We’re just going to have a look at him, he’s turned up to all the trainings,” said Hamlin.

“Alesana [Tofa] is trying to get himself back to some fitness, injury curtailed his club season, so we’re trying to get him on board and getting him back to the Alesana of old, and hopefully it’s not too far away.”

Halfback Mitchell played junior rugby in Auckland before moving over to Queensland, and has covered his own costs to come home for a chance to play First Class level.

“He’s playing in a pretty high quality competition over in Brisbane, for Sunnybank, and I spoke briefly to his coach over there.

“He wants to come back to New Zealand and have a crack at New Zealand footy, I think he arrives on Sunday.”

Everyone will get a chance to showcase what they can do in three preseason matches – as Whanganui starts with the anticipated clash with former All Blacks in the Classics game at Cooks Gardens, followed by tough regular preseason opponents the Hawke’s Bay Saracens and Wellington Centurions.

 “I said to the boys, ‘I’d like to win every game we play’, but we’ll be playing some quality opposition,” said Hamlin.

“That Classics game, albeit an older squad, and then you got to go play a Hawke’s Bay team, with the signings they’ve had, so that just means the quality of players that have been in the Magpies are coming down into that team.

“The Wellington team, that’s how you do it if you’re going to play for the Lions, they’re a quality side.

“We’ll take a lot out of all of those games. Give them some reps and let’s hit the ground running when we get to the Heartland competition.”

Whanganui Pre-Season

July 19th: Camp; July 26th: vs The Classics; August 2nd: vs Hawke’s Bay Saracens; August 9th: vs Wellington Centurions.

Wider Whanganui Squad

Tyrone Albert, Ekenasio Fiso, Ross McDonald, Logan Mitchell, Keane Metekingi, Ngapuke Patea, Timoci Seruwalu, Harry Symes, Renato Tikoisolomone, Jay Tora, Alekesio Vakarorogo (Border); Rusiate Baledreketi, Daniel Kauika, Te Herureu Koro, Samu Kubunavanua, Alesana Tofa, Rongomai McLean-Wanoa, Atriane Marino, Finley Ocheduszko-Brown, Shaun O’Leary (Marist); Dale Akuhata, Peter-Travis Hay-Horton, Hoani Woodhead, Chad Whale, Dane Whale (Taihape); Matthew Ashworth, Adam Boult, Douglas Horrocks, Mason Johnson, Ezra Malo, Sheldon Pakinga, Tai Pulemagafa, Ethan Robinson, Josefa Rokotakala, Raymond Salu (Kaierau); Cody Hemi, Mitai Hemi, Brooklyn Herewini, Jamie Hughes, Tawhiwhi Karaitiana, Rangi Kui, Te Atawhai Mason, Rehimana Meihana, Kereti Tamou (Rātana); Joe Abernethy (Utiku Old Boys); Loan – Matt Picard (Coastal, Taranaki), Cody Mitchell (Sunnybank, Australia). 

By Jared Smith