Mooloos Fight for the Battle of the Bombays
5th August 2010 10:00AM
Waikato coach Chris Gibbes announced his side for the second game of the ITM Cup season today acknowledging that last week's performance wasn't the prettiest of games however it was hard fought by his team.
"The boys went out there last Saturday and got the job done and we came away with the win. The team showed a lot of character under pressure which was pleasing but this week will pose another challenge. This is our first opportunity to test ourselves away from home", said Gibbes. "The focus for our training this week has been around correcting the little errors that let us down at important times in the game. We learnt a lot from Saturday night about ball retention and we have been working hard building that area of our game this week".
The tight forward pack remains the same after strong performances by Captain Nathan White and Aled de Malmanche last week, again teaming up with young prop Toby Smith. In the loose forward trio, Dominiko Waqaniburotu makes his first start of the season with Liam Messam returning to the All Black camp, alongside Jack Lam and Steven Setephano starting at number 8. In the Waikato backline, vice captain Brendon Leonard will again start at halfback, after an outstanding start to the season with Trent Renata in the number 10 jersey. Jackson Willison's hamstring injury in last Saturday's game instigated a shift in the backline with Christian Lealiifano moving into second five-eight and Sosene Anesi moving into fullback with Henry Speight supporting him on the right wing.
Waikato takes on Auckland in week two of the ITM Cup at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday 7 August. Kick off is 2.35pm.
The Waikato team is
Toby Smith
Aled de Malmanche
Nathan White (captain)
Toby Lynn
Romana Graham
Dominiko Waqaniburotu
Jack Lam
Steven Setephano
Brendon Leonard (vice captain)
Trent Renata
Dwayne Sweeney
Christian Lealiifano
Save Tokula
Henry Speight
Sosene Anesi
Reserves:
Vern Kamo
Hikairo Forbes
Matt Vant Leven
Alex Bradley
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Tim Mikkelson
Sam Christie
InjuriesThe following were not considered for selection due to injury: Stephen Donald first five-eight (chest injury), Zak Hohneck flanker (concussion), Ben May prop (back injury), Jackson Willison second five-eight (hamstring injury).
