2010 Waikato ITM Cup Squad Named
13th July 2010 12:16PM
Waikato coach Chris Gibbes today announced the 2010 Waikato ITM Cup squad.
The 27-strong squad includes five new players this season along with the return of Steven Setephano (formerly of Otago) and Toby Smith (from injury).
Gibbes said: "this squad has been one of the hardest to select as we had such a high level of talent within the training squad".
"This group of young men are confident that this is the year Waikato will win the competition and bring home the ITM Cup. This is our sole aim for the season and we will succeed at all costs".
There are five new players to the Waikato squad this year including three forwards and two backs in the fifteen/ twelve split.
The new forwards are Zak Hohneck (loose forward), Chris Middleton (lock) and Matt Vant Leven (loose forward).
The new backs are Frank Halai (wing) and Christian Lealiifano (utility back).
Nathan White, who has played 51 games for the Mooloos, will captain the Waikato side for the first year with seasoned halfback Brendan Leonard taking on the vice captain role.
"Nathan epitomises what it means to come from the Waikato and therefore what our players should aim to be. He is a tenancious, and determined player who literally leaves everything he has out on that field for his province. We are also fortunate that Nathan's leadership will be complimented by the high level of experience we have within the squad this year".
Gibbes enters into his second season as Head Coach of the Waikato ITM Cup team. He is assisted again by Scott McLeod, former Waikato and All Black representative along with stalwart and former Waikato and Chiefs player, Greg Smith. Stu Williams is the team manager and will be assisted by Paul Galletta .
Waikato Draught are stepping into the front of jersey position as major sponsor of the 2010 Waikato ITM Cup team.
The 2010 Waikato ITM Cup squad is:
Forwards:
Alex Bradley (Morrinsville Sports)
Aled de Malmanche (Hamilton Old Boys)
Hikairo Forbes (Melville)
Romana Graham (Hautapu)
Zak Hohneck (Otohanga)
Vern Kamo (Fraser Tech)
Jack Lam (Hamilton Marist)
Toby Lynn (Te Rapa)
Ben May (Te Awamutu Sports)
Chris Middleton (Te Awamutu Sports)
Steven Setephano (Hamilton Marist)
Toby Smith (Hamilton Old Boys)
Dominiko Waqaniburotu (Fraser Tech)
Nathan White (Te Awamutu Sports) - Captain
Matt Vant Leven (Fraser Tech)
Backs:
Sosene Anesi (Hamilton Marist)
Stephen Donald (University)
Frank Halai (Hamilton Marist)
Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Hautapu)
Brendan Leonard (Morrinsville Sports) - Vice Captain
Christian Lealiifano (Marist)
Tim Mikkelson (University)
Trent Renata (Hamilton Marist)
Henry Speight (Hamilton Old Boys)
Dwayne Sweeney (Morrinsville Sports)
Savenaca Tokula (Fraser Tech)
Jackson Willison (Hamilton Old Boys)
Points of interest:
(1) Players unavailable for selection due to All Blacks committments were Richard Kahui, Liam Messam, and Mils Muliaina.
(2) Sitiveni Sivivatu was not considered for selection due to his shoulder injury which has put him out for the season.
(3) Waikato will play Taranaki, this Friday afternoon (16th July) at Hawera, Taranaki. Kick off is at 1.30pm.
(4) Waikato's first home game, in the ITM Cup, is against Bay of Plenty on Saturday 31st July, 6.35pm at Waikato Stadium. For Waikato's 2010 draw check out http://www.mooloo.co.nz/ITM-Cup/Waikato-Draw/ for more details. Waikato will play seven round robin matches at home at Waikato Stadium.
