Waikato are back home at FMG Stadium Waikato this week to face Taranaki in week 7 of the Mitre 10 Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Two trophies will be up for grabs during this match. Taranaki will be challenging for the Ryan Wheeler Memorial trophy which Waikato currently are the holders. The other piece of silverware is the Chiefs Country Cup which is currently held by Taranaki after uplifting it from Bay of Plenty earlier on this season.

Waikato head coach, Andrew Strawbridge, has made several changes to his matchday 23. Changes to the front row have Ollie Norris and Sefo Kautai trading places with Rob Cobb and Josh Iosefa-Scott.

In the loose forwards Luke Jacobson will celebrate a milestone, playing openside flanker in his blazer game. With Jacobson moving in one spot, Liam Messam, has been named at number 8 for his first start of the 2020 season.

In the backs, there is a new halves and centre pairing. Cortez Ratima starts at halfback with Fletcher Smith returning to start at first five eight. Smith’s return means Rivez Reihana moves to the reserves for this match.

Matty Lansdown has been named at second five eight and Bailyn Sullivan at centre to  make up the new midfield combination. 

The final change to the backs has Valynce Te Whare returning to the starting XV and will play on the left wing.

In the reserves, Sekope Lopeti-Moli is set to make his first appearance in 2020 and Hugo Nankivell has his chance to make his third appearance for the province. 

Finally, Fraser Tech halfback, Rhys Dickinson, has a chance to make his provincial debut   

This Sunday FMG Stadium Waikato will play hosts to a double header. The University of Waikato: Waikato Women will host Manawatu Cyclones in a Farah Palmer Cup semi-final in game one at 2.05pm, followed by the Waikato men facing Taranaki in the Mitre 10 Cup as the game two. kick off 4.35pm. 

Waikato take on Taranaki at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Sunday afternoon, kick-off is at 4.35pm:

1.    Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

2.    Samisoni Taukei’aho (Fraser Tech)

3.    Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

4.    Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

5.    Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)

6.    Adam Thomson (Morrinsville Sports)

7.    Luke Jacobson (Hautapu) - Captain

8.    Liam Messam (Raglan)

9.    Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga) 

10.  Fletcher Smith (University)

11.  Valynce Te Whare (Fraser Tech)

12.  Matty Lansdown (Fraser Tech)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

15.  Beaudein Waaka (Melville)

16.  Sekope Lopeti-Moli (Hautapu)

17.  Rob Cobb (Hamilton Old Boys)

18.  Josh Iosefa-Scott (Melville)

19.  James Thompson (Hautapu)

20.  Hugo Nankivell (Fraser Tech)

21.  Rhys Dickinson (Fraser Tech)*

22.  Rivez Reihana (Melville)

23.  Gideon Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Saturday 24 October 2020