Waikato travel back south this week as they get set to face Canterbury at Apollo Projects Stadium in round 9 of the Bunnings NPC on Saturday night.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has made several changes to his side that beat Southland last weekend. In the front row Gabe Robinson takes over at tighthead prop for George Dyer who has been ruled out for this match. Robinson will link up with Ollie Norris and Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia to make up the front row.

The second row is unchanged and will see Josh Balme and Laghlan McWahnnell continue their locking combination.

The final change to the forward pack sees the return of Samipeni Finau from All Blacks duty and he takes over at blindside flanker replacing Xavier Saifoloi who moves to the reserves for this match.

In the backs, captain Xavier Roe remains at halfback but this week he is joined by D’Angelo Leuila at first five eight to make up the halves pairing.

In the midfiled, Quinn Tupaea moves from the right wing to start back in his preferred position of inside centre combining with Bailyn Sullivan to make up a formidable midfield pairing.

With Tupaea positional moves from the right wing. Jole Naufahu has been rewarded with his first start of the season and will combine with Aki Tuivailala and Tepaea Cook-Savage to make up the outside back trio.

The only changes, to the reserves has both Austin Anderson and Oli Mathis return to the matchday 23 and have a chance to add to their provincial caps.

Waikato take on Canterbury in round 9 of the Bunnings NPC at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch on Saturday night, kick-off is at 7.05pm:

1.    Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

2.    Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia (University)

3.    Gabe Robinson (Hamilton Marist)

4.    Josh Balme (Hamilton Marist)

5.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

6.    Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)

7.    Patrick McCurran (Fraser Tech)

8.    Malachi Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys) – Captain

10.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

11.  Aki Tuivailala (Hamilton Old Boys)

12.  Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Jole Naufahu (University)

15.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

16.  Pita Anae-Ah Sue (Hautapu)

17.  Mason Tupaea (Hamilton Marist)

18.  Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

19.  Xavier Saifoloi (University)

20.  Senita Lauaki (Hautapu)

21.  Quintony Ngatai (Hautapu)

22.  Austin Anderson (Te Awamutu Sports)

23.  Oli Mathis (University)

Article added: Thursday 03 October 2024