Waikato have announced their first side of 2024 as they get set to face Bay of Plenty Steamers in game one of the Bunnings National Provincial Championship (NPC) at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday afternoon.

The Mooloo Men will challenge for two trophies in this match. Both the Nathan Strongman memorial trophy and the Chiefs Country Cup, as Bay of Plenty are the current holders of the two trophies.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has named the experienced duo of Ollie Norris (51 caps) and George Dyer (32) at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively, with the duo combining for a total of 83 provinicial caps. University player, Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, has been named at hooker and will make his run-on provincial debut in the front row.

An experienced duo has been named in the second row, with James Tucker (69) and Laghlan McWhannell (34) combining for a total of 103 provincial caps.

In the loose forwards, Varsity player, Oli Mathis, will make his provincial debut at openside flanker. Mathis will be flanked by Malachi Wrampling, at blindside flanker and Patrick McCurran at number eight. McCurran makes his long-awaited return to provincial rugby after tearing his Achillies during training midway through the 2023 season.

Co-Captain, Xavier Roe, has been named at halfback and will combine with first five eight, D’Angelo Leuila, to form an exciting halves pairing.

In the midfield, Waikato has named another experienced combination of Quinn Tupaea (38) and Bailyn Sullivan (60), these two have been named at inside and outside centre respectively. Both players combine for a total of 98 provincial caps between them.  

Josh Moorby has been named at fullback and will make his Waikato run on debut. He is joined by Gideon Wrampling, who has been named on the left wing. Completing the outside backs trio, Newton Tudreu, gets his first start on the left wing and returns to the Waikato squad for the first time since 2019.

Plenty of firepower has been named in the reserves to provide impact when called upon. These players are Pita Anae-Ah Sue, co-captain, Ayden Johnstone, Solomone Tukuafu, Tai Cribb, Quintony Ngatai, Taha Kemara and Austin Anderson. While Hautapu’s, Andrew Smith, is in line to make his Waikato debut from the bench.

Waikato take on Bay of Plenty Steamers in game two of the double headers at FMG Stadium Waikato, on Saturday afternoon, kick-off is at 4.35pm:

1.    Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

2.    Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia (University)*

3.    George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

4.    James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

5.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

6.    Malachi Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

7.    Oli Mathis (University)*

8.    Patrick McCurran (Fraser Tech)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys) – Co-Captain

10.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

11.  Gideon Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

12.  Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Newton Tudreu (Hamilton Marist)

15.  Josh Moorby (Te Awamutu Sports)*

16.  Pita Anae-Ah Sue (Hautapu)

17.  Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu) – Co-Captain

18.  Solomone Tukuafu (Hamilton Old Boys)

19.  Tai Cribb (Hamilton Marist)

20.  Andrew Smith (Hautapu)*

21.  Quintony Ngatai (Hautapu)

22.  Taha Kemara (Te Awamutu Sports)

23.  Austin Anderson (Te Awamutu Sports)

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Thursday 08 August 2024