Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC have announced their side to face Auckland Storm for Round 6 of the Farah Palmer Cup at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach, Wayne Maxwell, has made several changes to his matchday 23, some are forced due to Black Ferns commitments. There is a new front row combination, Grace Houpapa-Barrett retains her place at hooker but is joined by Toka Natua at loosehead prop, who makes her first appearance in the Waikato side since 2020. Rianna Aspinall comes off the bench to start at tighthead prop and taking her place in the reserves is Claudia Hobbs who will play her second Farah Palmer Cup match in 2022.

Leomie Kloppers returns to the starting side and will join Esther Tilo-Faiaoga in the second row. Kloppers takes over from the injured Chyna Hohepa.

In the loose forwards there is only one change.Emma-Lee Heta replaces Kennedy Simon at openside flanker and Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland takes over the captaincy from blindside flanker for this match.

In the backs, Cheyelle Robins-Reti moves from outside centre to fullback, this allows Rina Paraone moves back to outside centre and Lonita Ngalu-Lavemai comes off the bench to start at inside centre.

In the reserves Finau Mafi has a chance to make their Waikato debuts from the reserves, while Leata Puni Lio and Violet Hapi-Wise have their chances to make her third Waikato appearance and Chantae Wilson Jenkins her second cap.

Waikato take on Auckland Storm at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton on Saturday, kick-off is at 4.35pm:

1.    Toka Natua (University)

2.    Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Otorohanga)

3.    Rianna Aspinall (Melville)

4.    Esther Tilo-Faiaoga (Hamilton Old Boys)

5.    Leomie Kloppers (Hamilton Old Boys)

6.    Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland (Melville) – Captain

7.    Emma-Lee Heta (Kihikihi)

8.    Victoria Makea (University)

9.    Ariana Bayler (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Calista Ruruku (University)

11.  Merania Paraone (Kihikihi)

12.  Lonita Ngalu-Lavemai (Hamilton Old Boys)

13.  Rina Paraone (Kihikihi)

14.  Montessa Tairakena (Hamilton Old Boys)

15.  Cheyelle Robins-Reti

16.  Vici-Rose Green (Hamilton Old Boys)

17.  Tafiau Fetalaiga (Hamilton Old Boys)

18.  Claudia Hobbs (University)

19.  Leata Puni Lio (Hamilton Old Boys)

20.  Finau Mafi (University)*

21.  Violet Hapi-Wise (Hamilton Old Boys)

22.  Chantae Wilson-Jenkins (Southern United) 

23.  Reese Anderson (Hamilton Old Boys)

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Thursday 18 August 2022