Waikato travel to Nelson this week to face Tasman Mako at Trafalgar Park in week 4 of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC.  

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has made four changes to his starting XV. The tight five remain unchanged from last week, with the only change to the forward pack has, Liam Messam, starting at number 8 in place of Jack Lam.

There are three changes to this week’s backline. Cortez Ratima starts at halfback trading places with Xavier Roe who moves to the reserves. While Mosese Dawai returns to start on the left wing as the only change to the outside backs.

The final change is in the midfield with, Gideon Wrampling, named at inside centre. Wrampling will combine with Bailyn Sullivan to make up this week’s centre pairing.

In the reserves James Thompson has been named and has a chance to make his first appearance for Waikato in 2021, adding to his 13 provincial caps.

Waikato take on Tasman at Trafalgar Park, Nelson on Friday evening, kick-off is at 7.05pm:

1.    Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu) - Co-captain

2.    Steven Misa (Hamilton Marist)

3.    George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

4.    James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

5.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

6.    Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu)

8.    Liam Messam (Hautapu)

9.    Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

10.  Fletcher Smith (University) - Co-captain

11.  Mosese Dawai (Hautapu)

12.  Gideon Wrampling (Te Awamutu Sports)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

15.  Matty Lansdown (Fraser Tech)

16.  Sam Cooper (Hamilton Old Boys)

17.  Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

18.  Rob Cobb (Hamilton old Boys)

19.  James Thompson (Hautapu)

20.  Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

21.   Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

22.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

23.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

Article added: Thursday 23 September 2021