Wellington's best Lions step out
There are a host of returning and new faces in the Wellington Lions' wider training squad for 2012.
A number of players are returning from overseas and new faces are also proving their worth from Wellington's exciting Premier club competition.
Thirty-six players will take another step closer to this year's NPC competition as they head away on a camp, held in Otaki, this Monday.
Head coach Chris Boyd confirmed these players will be vying for a spot in his final squad of almost 30 to be announced on Monday, August 20, before the sides opening NPC encounter with Manawatu on Friday, August 24.
Of those returning faces 49 cap veteran Ross Filipo will be eager to pull on a Lions jersey and bring up his 50th cap after spending three years abroad playing in France and England.
Also on the list to return from overseas with the prospect of pulling on a Wellington jersey are flyhalf Fa'atonu Fili and lock Lua Lokotui who were both in Japan, Tomasi Palu who was playing in Romania and Genesis Mamea who has been playing club rugby in Italy.
Among the new faces to emerge in this group from Wellington's premier club competitions include Mamea's cousin Fa'atau Mamea (Wainuiomata), Liu Taituave (Marist St Pats) and Deon Carney (Hutt Old Boys Marist). All three featured in the City versus Suburbs match held in May and will be new caps in the Wellington Lions environment if they make it through to the final squad.
Within the 36 strong group at the camp will be five of Wellington's representatives in the New Zealand Under-20 side and 15 Super Rugby players.
Also heading to the camp are TJ Perenara and Lima Sopoaga.
Both players, along with Brad Shields who is recovering from knee surgery, will play an active role within the team until their return especially in the area of opposition team analysis.
Wellington Lions wider training squad: Dane Coles, Deon Carney, Motu Matu'u, Kaipati Gaualofa, Liu Taituave, Frae Wilson, Reggie Goodes, Kayne Hammington, Solomona Sakalia, Tomasi Palu, Arden David-Perrot, Tim Bateman, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Seminar Manu, Whetu Henry, Fa'atonu Fili, Eric Sione, Shaun Treeby, Jeremy Thrush, Ope Peleseuma, Mark Reddish, Alapati Leiua, Ross Filipo, Charlie Ngatai, Lua Lokotui, Matt Proctor, Joe Latta, Jason Woodward, Scott Fuglistaller, Ambrose Curtis, Serge Lilo, Fa'atau Mamea, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Genesis Mamea, Lima Sopoaga.