Mooloos Strive for Quality Performance against Bay of Plenty
20th August 2009 11:53AM
Waikato coach Chris Gibbes said his team will strive for a quality performance when the Mooloos take on Bay of Plenty in week four of the Air New Zealand Cup this Saturday afternoon in Mount Maunganui.
"The performance last week was disappointing but the boys have responded well this week to the lessons we learnt in Canterbury and we are focused on producing a quality performance this week. We are a proud team and we know that if we get the little things in our game right then that will go a long way to achieving the quality performances that we are striving for."
"The players are excited by the challenge of this weekend's game. There hasn't been a Waikato and Bay of Plenty competition match for a number of years, so everyone from players, coaching staff, team management and our supporters are looking forward to the match up."
Experienced campaigners lock Kevin O'Neill and prop Nathan White return to the Waikato starting line-up this week.
O'Neill, who stands at 2.02m, will combine with fellow lock Romana Graham. While White starts alongside hooker Ole Avei and loosehead prop Hikairo Forbes in the front row.
In the loose forward trio Jack Lam moves to number eight, Liam Messam starts on the blindside and Matt Blain from Waikato's Development team comes in as openside flanker.
In the Waikato backline David Bason will start in the number 9 jersey, with Waikato Under 20 player Tawera Kerr-Barlow giving halfback cover from the bench. Save Tokula gets the nod at centre for the Mooloos, with Henry Speight in the reserves.
"The Steamers are a strong team, they are on a roll and we are on their home ground. Our boys would love to see some Waikato support over the Kaimai Ranges for this fixture," said Gibbes.
Waikato takes on Bay of Plenty in week four of the Air New Zealand Cup at Baypark Stadium in Mount Maunganui on Saturday 22 August. Kick off is 2.35pm.
The Waikato team is:
1. Hikairo Forbes
2. Ole Avei
3. Nathan White
4. Kevin O'Neill
5. Romana Graham
6. Liam Messam (captain)
7. Matt Blain
8. Jack Lam
9. David Bason
10. Sam Christie
11. Dwayne Sweeney
12. Callum Bruce
13. Save Tokula
14. Tim Mikkelson
15. Sosene Anesi
Reserves:
16. Vern Kamo/Lionel Wairau
17. Ben May/Latu Talakai
18. Toby Lynn
19. Kent Fife
20. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
21. Trent Renata
22. Henry Speight
Footnotes:
Brackets in the reserves relate to prop Ben May's chest strain and hooker Vern Kamo's ankle injury which will be further assessed this week. Decisions on whether either player will make the reserves bench will not be made until game day.
The following were not considered for selection due to injury: loose forward Ray Allen (ankle) prop Kieran Ramage (shoulder)and Sione Lauaki (foot).
Loose forward Jordan Smiler incurred a one-week suspension from the NZRU Judicial following an dangerous tackle in last week's Canterbury match. He was unavailable for selection this week.
Saturday's match will be the first Air New Zealand Cup competition match between Waikato and Bay of Plenty since the competition started in 2006
