Waikato Team Named for Preseason Against North Harbour
7th July 2009 09:52AM
Twenty-four players have been named for Waikato's first preseason encounter against North Harbour in Moire Park in Massey tomorrow.
Experienced Waikato prop Nathan White makes a welcome return to Waikato rugby after an almost two year absence. White, who has played 40 games for the Mooloos, last played a Waikato game in September 2007 against Hawke's Bay in the Air New Zealand Cup round robin.
White will combine with hooker Ole Avei and New Zealand Under 20 representative Latu Talakai in the front row against North Harbour this week.
Waikato coach Chris Gibbes said: "it is exciting to finally get some of our guys out onto the park trying out combinations we've been working on over the past few weeks. Preseason matches like this one allow us to get a feel of where our guys are at and play an important part in our selection process for the squad."
Waikato takes on North Harbour in their first preseason fixture at Moire Park in Massey on Wednesday 8 July. Kick off is at 3.00pm.
The Waikato team is
- Latu Talakai
- Ole Avei
- Nathan White
- Kent Fife
- Mark Burman
- Dominiko Waqaniburotu
- Matt Blain
- Alex Bradley
- Josh Sutherland
- Sam Christie
- Glen Robertson
- Roimata Hansell-Pune
- Jackson Willison
- Henry Speight
- Sosene Anesi
Reserves: Nick Seymour, Kieran Ramage, Mike Moore, Kevin O'Neill, Jordan Smiler, Jack Lam, David Bason, Maurice Stone, Frank Halai.
Players not considered for selection for this preseason fixture following Junior All Blacks and All Blacks duties include Callum Bruce, Sione Lauaki and Liam Messam.
Note: Results of this preseason match will be posted on www.mooloo.co.nz on Wednesday afternoon.
