Coach Cam Gliddon has confirmed a 10-strong Auckland Tuatara side to travel to the West Coast for the Westside Blitz pre-season tournament this week.
Import stars Buay Tuach and Charles Pride will headline the team, which includes big man Josh Leger and guard Josh Wyllie – both who attended last year’s Westside Blitz.
Wing Dylan Wilkie will wear Tuatara colours for the first time in Greymouth, having previously played for the Franklin Bulls but now back with his hometown team.
Younger players getting an opportunity include Wyllie’s nearly-identical brother Chris, as well as Matthew Dalton – brother of Tuatara regular Charlie Dalton.
Others to be selected are Dilworth College product KC Ioane, Rosmini College’s Bart Jackowski and returning Tuatara player Noa Latu.
The Tuatara were set to open their campaign with a game against the Otago Nuggets at 7.30pm on Tuesday at the Westland Recreation Centre in Greymouth but a cancelled flight saw the team miss their scheduled arrival time.
They will now face the Wellington Saints at 5.15pm on Wednesday and finish the week with a game against the Manawatu Jets at 7.30pm on Friday.
Tuatara squad: Buay Tuach, Charles Pride, Dylan Wilkie, Josh Leger, Josh Wyllie, Chris Wyllie, Matthew Dalton, Bart Jackowski, Krisnan-Cole Ioane, Talanoa Latu. Coaches: Cam Gliddon, Sione Maama.
Schedule
Tuatara v Saints Wednesday 5 March 5.15pm at Westland Recreation Centre, Greymouth
Tuatara v Jets Friday 7 March 7.30pm at Westland Recreation Centre, Greymouth