Waikato will defend the Chiefs Country Cup when they host Bay of Plenty in their final regular season home game at FMG Stadium Waikato in week 9 of the Mitre 10 Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Waikato head coach, Andrew Strawbridge, has made several changes to his matchday 23.

Ollie Norris celebrates his Blazer game with a start as one of three changes to the front row. Joining Norris in the front row are Steven Misa and Josh Iosefa-Scott at hooker and tighthead prop respectively. Both Samisoni Taukei’aho and Sefo Kautai move to the reserves for this match.

Rivez Reihana also celebrates his blazer game with a start at first five eight in place of Fletcher Smith.

The final changes to the starting XV are to the outside backs. Patrick Osborne returns to the left wing with Gideon Wrampling moving back to the reserves. Beaudein Waaka and Liam Coombes-Fabling swap positions from right wing to fullback  

On the reserve bench, Tolu Fahamokioa, comes into the matchday 23 has a chance to record his second cap for the province.

Waikato take on Bay of Plenty at FMG Stadium Waikato on Sunday afternoon, kick-off is at 2.05pm:

1. Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

2. Steven Misa (Hamilton Marist)

3. Josh Iosefa-Scott (Melville)

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. Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

10. Rivez Reihana (Melville) 

11. Patrick Osborne (Fraser Tech)

12. Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

13. Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

14. Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

15. Beaudein Waaka (Melville)

16.  

17. Samisoni Taukei’aho (Fraser Tech)

18. Tolu Fahamokioa

19. Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

20. James Thompson (Hautapu)

21. Hugo Nankivell (Fraser Tech)

22. Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

23. Louis Rogers (University)

24. Gideon Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

Article added: Saturday 07 November 2020