Mooloos head South, again
9th September 2009 02:10PM
The Waikato Air New Zealand squad heads to the South Island, for the third time this season, to take on the Tasman Mako's at Blenheim's Lansdowne Park.
One of the quirks of this season's fixture list has Waikato playing all four South Island Unions at their home grounds and Coach Chris Gibbes is keen to see the Mooloos get better results from this journey. "We had a tough encounter first up against Southland and then hit a red hot Canterbury team. With two wins in the last two rounds we are looking for the boys to continue to develop and put together winning performances."
The All Blackless team includes the return of Ole Avei at hooker and David Bason at halfback Toby Lynn wins back are starting role in the locks with Romana Graham having a rest this week.
Former Tasman player Jack Lam returns to his old province, having played seven games for the Mako's in the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup.
Waikato takes on Tasman in week seven of the Air New Zealand Cup at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim on Friday 11 September. Kick off is 7.35pm.
The Waikato team is
1. Hikairo Forbes
2. Ole Avei
3. Nathan White
4. Kevin O'Neill
5. Toby Lynn
6. Liam Messam (captain)
7. Jack Lam
8. Alex Bradley
9. David Bason
10. Trent Renata
11. Alesana Muliaina
12. Callum Bruce
13. Save Tokula
14. Henry Speight
15. Sosene Anesi
Reserves: 16. Vern Kamo/Nick Seymour 17. Latu Talakai, 18. Kent Fife, 19. Jordan Smiler, 20. Tawera Kerr Barlow 21. Dwayne Sweeney, 22. Tim Mikkelson.
Footnotes:
1. The following were not considered for selection due to injury: first five-eighth Sam Christie (shoulder) loose forward Ray Allen (ankle) prop Kieran Ramage (shoulder), and loose forward Sione Lauaki (foot).
