Mooloos At Home for Thursday Night Harbour Visit
29th September 2009 02:01PM
Building momentum is crucial for Waikato this Thursday night when they take on North Harbour in week ten of the Air New Zealand Cup at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.
Waikato coach Chris Gibbes said: "we are all about building on our performances and keeping momentum in this competition. We stuck it out against a tough Taranaki side last Friday night, now it is time to return to our yard and put in a good performance against North Harbour. "
"It is no secret that the boys enjoy playing at home and we are keen to reward our Mooloo faithful with a solid performance at the stadium this Thursday. North Harbour is a physical side, combined with strike power in the backs. We know they will be a challenge, but our boys are ready to step up and go forward in this competition."
Waikato's All Blacks, hooker Aled de Malmanche, halfback Brendon Leonard and first five-eighth Stephen Donald, return to the starting side this week.
In the front row de Malmanche combines with props Hikairo Forbes and Nathan White, who is available after recovering from a back strain. Kevin O'Neill will lock with Toby Lynn this week, with the loose forward trio of Liam Messam, Jack Lam and Alex Bradley remaining unchanged.
In the backs centre Jackson Willison will start, combining with Callum Bruce (second five-eighth) and Stephen Donald at (first five-eighth). Trent Renata was unavailable for selection this week due to a shoulder injury.
Waikato is currently sitting in eighth place on the Air New Zealand Cup points table with 21 points.
Waikato takes on North Harbour in week ten of the Air New Zealand Cup at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Thursday 1 October. Kick off is 7.35pm.
The Waikato team is:
1. Hikairo Forbes
2. Aled de Malmanche
3. Nathan White
4. Toby Lynn
5. Kevin O'Neill
6. Liam Messam (captain)
7. Jack Lam
8. Alex Bradley
9. Brendon Leonard
10. Stephen Donald
11. Dwayne Sweeney
12. Callum Bruce
13. Jackson Willison
14. Tim Mikkelson
15. Sosene Anesi
Reserves:
16. Ole Avei
17. Latu Talakai
18. Jordan Smiler
19. Matt Blain
20. David Bason
21. Roimata Hansell-Pune
22. Henry Speight.
Footnotes:
North Harbour last played Waikato in Hamilton in 2006.
The following were not considered for selection due to injury: first five-eighth Trent Renata (shoulder), prop Ben May (knee), first five-eighth Sam Christie (shoulder), prop Kieran Ramage (shoulder), loose forward Sione Lauaki , midfielder Save Tokula (ankle sprain), (foot) and loose forward Ray Allen (knee).
The Waikato Development team v North Harbour Development team play in the curtain raiser match on the number one field at Waikato Stadium on Thursday night. Gates open at 5.00pm with the curtain raiser match kicking off at 5.15pm.
