Waikato NPC have named their match day 23 as they host the Southland Stags in game 2 of storm week at FMG Stadium Waikato for round 6 of the Bunnings National Provincial Championship.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has again made several changes to his squad that beat Auckland at home to win back the Stan Thomas memorial trophy last Friday night.

There is a new front row combination with Rob Cobb, named at loosehead prop, Pita Anae Ah-Sue trades places with Rhys Marshall to start at hooker and tighthead prop, Solomone Tukuafu, makes his return to the starting XV for his third Waikato cap. 

In the second row there is a new locking combination of James Thompson and Hamilton Burr. While in the loose forwards, Mitch Jacobson, retains his spot at openside flanker and will captain the side, Liam Messam moves from number 8 to blindside flanker allowing Te Rama Reuben to come off the bench and start at number 8.

In the backs, there is a new halves combination that will see halfback, Cortez Ratima, combine with flyhallf, Taha Kemara. Kemara’s start means Damian McKenzie moves to the reserves to provide impact from the bench for this match.

Alapati Leiua retains his spot at inside centre but is joined in the midfield by, Tana Tuhakaraina, who will earn his third Waikato appearance starting at outside centre.

The final change to the starting XV is on the left wing. Mosese Dawai has been named and takes over from Daniel Sinkinson.

In the reserves, Jack Lam, Rhys Dickinson and D’Angelo Leuila all return to the match day 23 and have their chances to add to their Waikato appearances. 

Waikato take on Southland at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Wednesday night, kick-off is at 7.05pm:

1.    Rob Cobb (Hamilton Old Boys)

2.    Pita Anae Ah-Sue (Southern United)

3.    Solomone Tukuafu(Hamilton Old Boys)

4.    James Thompson (Hautapu)

5.    Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

6.    Liam Messam (Hautapu)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu) – Captain

8.    Te Rama Reuben (University)

9.    Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

10. Taha Kemara (Te Awamutu Sports)

11.  Mosese Dawai (Otorohanga)

12.  Alapati Leiua

13.  Tana Tuhakaraina (United Matamata Sports)

14.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

15.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

16.  Rhys Marshall

17.  Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

18.  George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

19.  Jack Lam (Hamilton Marist)

20.  Patrick McCurran (Fraser Tech)

21.  Rhys Dickinson (Fraser Tech)

22.  Damian McKenzie (University)

23.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

Article added: Tuesday 13 September 2022