Team Announced to Play Manawatu
19th August 2011 10:46AM
Venue: FMG Stadium, Palmerston North
Date: Saturday 20th August
Kickoff: 7.35pm
Referee: Vinny Munro
Coaches Comments: Head Coach Chris Gibbes
"We've had a great build-up to this game, having had a bye in Round 10. We move into the final phase of this competition of three games in eight days, with the boys feeling fresh and ready to go. Manawatu have proven to be hard to beat this season especially at home, so we go down to Palmerston North knowing we will be in for a great battle. Selecting this week's team has been difficult as all the players are putting their hand up for selection. We are confident the 23 named will be able to get the result we need against Manawatu.
"We were extremely pleased to secure three wins in seven days but as this competition has shown we need to keep moving forward so our only focus as a team is on winning this game against Manawatu".
Changes to the Waikato starting line-up from the Otago game:
• Changes to the front row sees Captain Nathan White start in the Number 3 jersey and Toby Smith start in the Number 1 jersey while Ben May moves to the bench.
• The rest of the forward pack remains the same, with the exception of Zak Hohneck who moves from the bench into the Number 7 jersey with Marty Holah covering the reserve flanker position on the bench.
• Changes to the backs see Tim Mikkelson move from left to right wing, Declan O'Donnell move from the bench to the left wing and powerhouse Frank Halai come onto the bench.
Injuries:
• Jack Lam remains unavailable for selection after injuring his AC joint in the Counties-Manukau match.
The Waikato Team to play Manawatu this Saturday, 7.35pm at FMG Stadium is:
1. Toby Smith
2. Marcel Cummings-Toone
3. Nathan White
4. Toby Lynn
5. Romana Graham
6. Matt Vant Leven
7. Zak Hohneck
8. Alex Bradley
9. Brendon Leonard
10. Stephen Donald
11. Declan O'Donnell
12. Jackson Willison
13. Save Tokula
14. Tim Mikkelson
15. Trent Renata
Reserves
16. Vance Elliott
17. Ben May
18. Chris Middleton
19. Marty Holah
20. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
21. Sam Christie
22. Frank Halai
23. Ted Tauroa
Coach: Chris Gibbes
Captain: Nathan White
