Rugby: Schuler's Wasps set to sting the Chiefs

The win isn't as important as individual performances for new Steamers coach Kevin Schuler.

He will send two different teams out for today's one-day tri-series match between his Bay of Plenty Wasps XV, a Tana Umaga-coached Counties Manukau Cavaliers XV and Dave Rennie's Chiefs at Rotorua International Stadium.

The former All Blacks and Chiefs assistant coach said he was excited to finally be putting a team out on the paddock.

"We are pretty happy with the group we've got and we're looking forward to [the game]. We've sort of watched a fair bit of club rugby and had a group of boys we've been training with the last few weeks and, as always, you've just got to bring the group together and hopefully give them enough organisation as such so they can show their skills."

The Steamers, disguised as a Wasps XV, will play a 40-minute spell against the Cavaliers before playing the Chiefs for 40 minutes before the Wasps take on the Super 15 side for the final 40.

The scoreboard is of little concern to Schuler. "It's probably more as much as anything about individuals, just seeing how individuals can handle that next level. Everything goes up a notch; the pace of the game, the power of the runners, the speed, the accuracy of the pass ... That's what we want to see, guys who can handle that sort of pressure and contribute at the next level."

Schuler said the quality of both squads showed there was plenty of depth in the region. "We ask these guys to do a lot of training. We ask them to get up at six in the morning and sometimes have them training at eight at night, so it's a full day's work. We are happy with the way players have responded and with the fact we can throw two teams on the paddock. That shows we have got a little bit of depth."

He said there was plenty of young talent he was looking forward to showcasing.

"In [the first squad], we've got a couple of talented boys in Garth [Cossey] and Maru [Henry]. They are good little footy players and the Wilbore twins [Te Hata and Te Amo] always bring a little bit of excitement to the paddock as well.

"It's gonna be a great opportunity, you know. Chris Miller has had a great club season so far for his club Whaka, so it will be good for him."

With last year's captain Colin Bourke gone, a blend of size, mobility and power has been included with Jesse Acton to combine with Carl Axtens.

The midfield was stacked with hard-running centres, such as Jeremy Cave and Doug Edwards, Schuler said.

"I'm pretty excited to see Dougie and Jeremy in the middle. There's a real combination of speed and power there and Jack Wilson is just making the transition from loose forward to wing. He's a fast man and he has just come off a good sevens campaign and he's pretty excited about having a crack at wing as well."

Entry into the game is $2 at the gate, with both Wasps and Chiefs selections available to sign autographs. The first 40 minutes kicks off at 3pm between the Wasps and Cavaliers, then the Chiefs and Cavaliers at 3.50pm and, finally, the Chiefs and Wasps at 4.40pm.

WASPS SQUADS

Game one: Dan Schuster, Alan McRobbie, Pingi Talaapitaga, Tareha Walker, Rob McGreggor, Warren Smith (captain), Luke Perrot, Jesse Acton, Chris Miller, Te Hata Wilbore, Nick Thompson, Simon Rollerston, Garth Cossey, Maru Henry, Te Amo Wilbore.

Game two: Kane Hames, John Pareanga (captain), Mike Kainga, Warren Smith, Keepa Mewett, Dan O'Rourke, Rob Macann, Carl Axtens, Lewis Hancock, Nick Emery, Lance McDonald, Doug Edwards, Jeremy Cave, Jack Wilson, Nick McCashin.