It’s lights, cameras, action for Steelform Whanganui as they face Ngāti Porou East Coast in Ruatoria on Saturday to begin the crucial second half of the Bunnings Heartland Championship round-robin.

After last weekend’s match in Timaru had a lack of televised or online coverage, Whanganui’s game will be live on Sky Television from Whakarua Park.

With an attack-orientated backline, Whanganui could have an opportunity to put on show against their struggling opposition.

East Coast has slipped back a lot from the side that won the Lochore Cup and Bill Osborne taonga in 2022 and went toe-to-toe with South Canterbury in the 2023 Meads Cup semifinals.

After a seventh-place finish last year, they have struggled out of the gate with losses to Poverty Bay (18-8), West Coast (80-21), North Otago (48-19) and Mid Canterbury (82-7).

But after successive defeats themselves, Whanganui coach Jason Hamlin knows nothing but the maximum five points will do.

“[Television] will be a good opportunity for the boys, but we don’t have to tell them too much around what it is and what it means.

“I told the crew the other night – ‘these two losses have left us [back]’.

“These four games to go we can get ourselves up the table in a quick hurry, but we’ve got to make these games count because we’ve left ourselves a pretty short window of opportunity to make the semis.

“Real focus around getting our game right and just bringing that intensity from last week, because we probably didn’t have that the week earlier in the second half.

“Build on the good points, minimise the rest of it all. Just get the boys out there playing their brand of footy.”

The team will have an all-new locks combination with Ngapuke Patea promoted from the bench and Joeli Tora returning from injury, as is Ekenasio Fiso at No8 with skipper Doug Horrocks moving back to blindside flanker.

Regular lock Matt Ashworth suffered a muscle strain in his back against South Canterbury  in Timaru, while partner Peter-Travis Hay-Horton was also feeling the wear-and-tear from that game and his previous return match against West Coast.

“PT just needs a bit of a rest, unfortunately, his body’s a bit banged up after no rugby all year, better if we just give him a week,” said Hamlin.

“Hopefully it’s just a week for [Ashworth], more just precautionary. Hopefully having the rest, and most of next week too.”

“Give him those ten days to get himself right.

“That’s why we got the squad depth that we have, Jay [Tora] hurt himself out of the West Coast game and we’re just hoping he’ll come through.

“He looked a little tentative still, but he’s running around ok and had a bit of contact.”

Faafetai Pulemagafa swaps with Renato Tikoisolomone back to starting prop, while Ross McDonald returns to the bench in the new role of reserve hooker after Taranaki import Matt Picard unfortunately took a head knock in Timaru.

After a good performance for McFall Fuel Whanganui Barbarians, Sheldon Pakinga takes the utility back spot last occupied by Dane Whale.

The starting outside backline remains unchanged, with Hamlin happy with how second-five Ethan Robinson came through first game back from injury.

The coach is giving 22-year-old halfback Rehimana Meihana his first Heartland start after serving as backup to Cody Mitchell, reuniting the Rātana club combination with first-five Te Atawhai Mason.

“I’ve been super impressed with him, he came into the preseason stuff, was going to be an apprentice,” said Hamlin of Meihana.

“Dan Kauika gets hurt, and he just stepped into the role pretty seamlessly.

“It’s just an opportunity to give him a start and see how he goes - he’s made the most of his minutes and hasn’t looked out of place.”

The game is part of a double header as the Longrun Spouting Whanganui Women take on East Coast at 12pm in their final round-robin game of the North Island Heartland Series, with the winner getting to host the final.

Kickoff for the Heartland Championshp match is 2.05pm, live on Sky TV Sport 50.

By Jared Smith