MANAWATU

LIAM MITCHELL rises high to win another lineout. Turbos halfback JAMIE BOOTH has recovered from a serious leg injury.

MANAWATU: SEVENTH LAST YEAR

When you finish in last position out of the 14 NPC places, there really is only one way to go.

Coach Peter Russell will be hoping his third season in charge will bring more wins for the Turbos, who ended the 2020 Championship with just one victory and nine losses. Russell, who will be assisted by former Manawatu prop Greg Fleming, has defensive systems on his mind after the Turbos leaked 37.7 points per match last season. There has been plenty of movement in the squad from last year with several quality signings from outside the region. Inspirational halfback and captain Jamie Booth returns after he broke his right leg and tore ligaments against Hawke's Bay last October. Griffin Culver and Wellington import Logan Henry are the other halfbacks in the squad. Crusaders first-five and former All Black Brett Cameron is a new Turbo. The 24-year-old grew up in Whanganui and wanted to be closer to his family before he leaves for Japan at the end of the NPC. “It is a good new challenge for me and it is also a chance to be close to home, which is pretty cool. I am pretty excited to get alongside a young team and test myself in a new environment and keep growing as a player,” says Cameron. The loss of tighthead prop Michael Alaalatoa to Leinster has been off-set by the signing of former Sunwolves and Auckland prop Jarred Adams, 33-year-old Ropate Rinakama has plenty of overseas experience, and Tietie Tuimauga impressed for the Turbos last year. Another new signing is prop Harrison Allan, who played for New Zealand Under-20s, the Crusaders and Canterbury. At the other end of the experience scale are promising 19-year-old loosehead prop Joe Gavigan and flanker TK Howden, who both made the New Zealand Under-20s this year. Howden played in nine of the 10 games for the Turbos last year in his first season out of school. There is plenty of height and power in the locking department. Hurricanes’ Liam Mitchell joins Micaiah Torrance-Read and Wellington’s James Poloniati. Samoan international winger Ed Fidow returns to New Zealand after three years with the Worcester Warriors. Another new winger is Tima Fainga’anuku from Tasman, the older brother of Crusaders wing Leicester Fainga’anuku. Jason Emery return to play for the Turbos four years after his last match. The talented utility has been in Japan since 2018. Chiefs Development player Taniela Filimone can play centre or wing. Blues hooker Ray Niuia started for Manu Samoa against the Māori All Blacks and Tonga in June and July. Tongan international Siua Maile and 2019 New Zealand Schools representative Ben Strang are the other hookers.

COACH: PETER RUSSELL CAPTAIN: JAMIE BOOTH HOME GROUND: CENTRAL ENERGY TRUST ARENA WEBSITE: www.turbosrugby.co.nz TICKETS: ticketfairy.com ADDRESS: CENTRAL ENERGY TRUST ARENA, 61 PASCAL STREET, PALMERSTON NORTH PHONE: 06 357 2633 EMAIL: info@manawaturugby.co.nz TAB ODDS: MANAWATU $18.00