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A mix of familiar faces and up-and-coming local talent are the key features of the Counties Manukau Cavaliers squad selected today for a pre-season clash with North Harbour on July 22.

Steelers head coach Tai Lavea has selected 41 players who will train four times together between now and the first pre-season hit-out, which has been locked in at Papakura’s Massey Park with a kick off time of 6:30pm.

Karaka’s star first-five Baden Kerr, having returned home from Japan due to the COVID crisis, is a notable inclusion alongside other experienced players such as Manurewa’s Pele Cowley, Patumahoe’s Riley Hohepa, Pukekohe’s Sione Fifita and Waiuku’s Lyndon Dunshea.

In fact, nearly half the squad boasts individuals with Mitre 10 Cup experience while the rest of the group have impressed Lavea and his Steelers assistants with their club performances in recent weeks.

“In naming our Cavaliers squad, we have rewarded a lot of players for their performances at club level,” Lavea said.

“We still have some contracts up for grabs and have said all along that, where possible, we want local boys in the Steelers.

“We’ve only got a limited time with this squad but we are very focused on getting as much out of this rapid-fire programme as we can.”

Of the players selected, Pukekohe fullback Jarrod Halliday, who has starred at the back since stepping up to the premier grade this year, Manurewa hooker Ioane Moananu and Onewhero’s halfback Cameron Roigard will be players to watch.

Young Patumahoe lock Chals Palelei, another player with limited premier rugby experience, has also impressed Lavea with his physicality.

Fresh from a destructive performance during his side’s win over Pukekohe at the weekend, Samoan sevens star and Ardmore Marist Marist loose forward Alamanda Motuga has also been given a chance to showcase his skills alongside the likes of Viliami Taulani (Manurewa), Sam Slade (Pukekohe) and Johnathan Kawau (Bombay).

“I’ve been impressed with the quality of rugby I’ve seen in recent weeks and last week in particular, you could really see some teams and players step up again,” Lavea added.

“We’ll be assembling the Cavaliers squad on Mondays and Wednesdays only leading into our game against North Harbour to ensure these players can still train and play for their clubs – that’s extremely important for everyone.”

The Steelers are also set to play Northland and Bay of Plenty in warm-up games closer to the start of this year’s Mitre 10 Cup. Details of those pre-season fixtures are yet to be confirmed.

CMRFU Cavaliers Squad: