Christchurch, NZ - Auckland wary of Canterbury challenge at softball nationals
Auckland player-coach Nathan Nukunuku expects Canterbury to again be his main title rivals with former Black Sox pitcher Penese Iosefo back in red and black for the national tournament in Christchurch.
Black Sox captain Nathan Nukunuku may revert to playing shortstop as he attempts to lead Auckland to the national softball title as player-coach.
Auckland player-coach Nathan Nukunuku expects Canterbury to again be his main title rivals with former Black Sox pitcher Penese Iosefo back in red and black for the national tournament in Christchurch.
Canterbury and Auckland have been duking it out for the National Fastpitch Championships crown since 2011 with the southerners winning three times to Auckland's two.
"We've been in the last four or five finals and the only time we've lost it is to them," Nukunuku said. "They will definitely be tough again, especially with Penese back in that lineup.
"They've lost a little bit without Regan Manley,'s who been a top pitcher at this level for a number of years, but there's young guys coming through like Ben [Watts] and Ethan [Johnston]."
READ MORE:
*Auckland bolster pitching roster
*Hutt to test Auckland for softball title
Canterbury coach Greg Newton agrees Auckland will be a formidable force with Black Sox utility Thomas Enoka joining Auckland regular Bayley Pearson-Hoani and Canadian Kyle Linton on the pitching mound.
"But Wellington and Hutt Valley, the usual suspects, will be tough too," Newton said. "We got beaten by North Harbour in the first game last year and Southern Pride have [Black Sox pitcher] Kurt Schollum.
"You can't relax against any of the teams. You don't want to be playing catch-up."
Black Sox captain Nukunuku, who made his national tournament debut "20 years ago when it was in Hawke's Bay", believes this week's edition will be "the most even we've seen for a long time".
Ad Feedback
"There are a lot of new faces in the tournament itself. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a few upsets."
Nukunuku could be "winding back the clock" with a positional switch likely. Teenage Black Sox shortstop Cole Evans has withdrawn to chase a baseball opportunity in Canada, which leaves a gap in the crucial middle infield slot.
Nukunuku, who starred at shortstop for the Black Sox at three consecutive world championships, may step up or share the job with Bobbie King or Evans' older brother, Rhys.
Having Linton, a member of the Canadian national squad, on the mound would benefit "Auckland and New Zealand", Nukunuku said. "It will be good for hitters to test themselves up against him."
With his longtime confrere Donny Hale now retired and coaching women's softball, Nukunuku will use team leaders like Thomas and Ben Enoka, and their father, Duncan, Auckland's assistant-coach, as confidants.
The Enokas are joined by younger brother Campbell while Connor Peden, Isaac Fletcher and Kallan Compain have stepped up as key players.
Newton said Canterbury will again rely on past and present internationals Josh Harbrow, Gareth Cook, Josh Thomson and Tyron Bartorillo, but they also have Junior Black Sox squad members Reilly Makea, Callum Bishop and Jackson Watt.
Nukunuku is wary of a Wellington lineup led by New Zealand player of the year Jerome Raemaki and expects Hutt Valley will lean heavily on Black Sox hurler Nik Hayes and a handy batting order.
Evergreen Black Sox star Brad Rona again guides North Harbour, who have Japanese pitcher Takuro Kawano and young prospect Blake Radford.
Nukunuku noted there were 22 Auckland club players at the tournament - 15 on his roster and another seven in the draft.
The tournament starts at Christchurch's Mainland Foundation Ballpark on Thursday morning. The final will be played at 2pm on Sunday.
Teams
AUCKLAND: Thomas Enoka, Kyle Linton, Bayley Pearson-Hoani (pitchers), Kallan Compain, Ben Enoka, Campbell Enoka, Gerard Long, Rhys Evans, Isaac Fletcher, Bobbie King, Joshua Kingi, Nathan Nukunuku, Alfons Oveinikovas, Connor Peden, Zane van Lieshout.
CANTERBURY: Penese Iosefo, Ethan Johnston, Ben Watts (pitchers), Tyron Bartorillo, Callum Bishop, Gareth Cook, Ihaka Davis, Curtis Dove, Josh Harbrow, Matt Holmes, Reilly Makea, Anthony Stuart, Josh Thomson, Jackson Watt, Cameron Watts.
COUNTIES-WAIKATO: Tiaki Te Wheoro, Kevin Papuni, Bailey Hamilton (pitchers), Peter Jay Dando, Carlaus Te Kawa, Jaxon Phillip Hays, Brodie Boyce, Jamie Matiu, Lincoln Posimani, Jamie Tanielu, Vernon Tapiki, Vishal Muks Toi Toi, Aaron Wairoa, Jarome McKenzie, Nopera Stockford.
HUTT VALLEY: Nik Hayes, Raj Kumar, Eru Drage (pitchers), Danny Brown, Tyson Byrne, Scott Cartwright, Terrence Davidson, Joel Evans, Jay Johnston, Campbell Ngarimu, Blour Thompson, Cory Timu, Craig Wallace, Caleb White-Hodge, Regan O'Neill.
NORTH HARBOUR: Takuro Kawano, Brad Rona, Blake Radford (pitchers), Martyn Cannons, Vincent Harris, Aaron Knight, Hohepa Monk, Tony Niu, Tiwana Aranui, Kurtis Tomkins, Te Ate Walker, Kirby Roper, Carrone Conroy, Joshua Niu.
SOUTHERN PRIDE: Daniel Perry, Kurt Schollum, Daniel Chapman (pitchers), Timothy Campbell, Tyler Bird, Josh Kelly, Guisepe Lagrutta, Kyle Marfell, Mardi McBride, Gavin Peattie, Drew Roberts, Matthew Watts, Matt Oxley, Jerome Haretuku, Maddix Rice.
WELLINGTON: Thomas Cameron, Jovaan Hanley, Sam Marley (pitchers), Conrad Bain, Zac Boyd, Campbell Gaunt, Jack Fletcher, Josh Gettins, Joel Harris, Wayne Laulu, Campbell Makea, Ricky Manson, Dante Matakatea, Jerome Raemaki, Curts Cosh.
- Stuff
