Waikato have announced their matchday 23 to face Taranaki Bulls for their home away from home match at Tauranga Domain in round 7 of the 2021 Bunnings Warehouse NPC.

Due to Hamilton remaining at alert level 3, Waikato are unable to play at FMG Stadium Waikato. So the Mooloo’s have opted to move this home game to Tauranga Domain, as the team is currently based in Tauranga.

Two trophies will be on the line for this match. Taranaki will be challenging Waikato for the Ryan Wheeler Memorial trophy which Waikato currently are the holders. The other piece of silverware is the Chiefs Country Cup which is currently held by Taranaki.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has made five changes to his matchday 23. In the forwards there are only two changes. Hooker, Steven Misa, trades places with Sam Cooper who moves to the reserves for this match. 

After making his Waikato debut from the bench against Northland, Rupeni Tamani, has been named to start at number 8 in place of Liam Messam, as the final change to the forward pack.

In the backs, Xavier Roe has been named to start at halfback. The inclusion of Roe in the starting line-up sees him swap places with Cortez Ratima, who will provide impact from the reserves.

The final change to the starting XV, has Beaudein Waaka named at fullback in place of Matty Lansdown.

In the reserves, Tom Martin, is primed to make his Waikato debut as cap #1228 and will be another Martin family member to don the tri-colours, following in the footsteps of his father, former Waikato prop, Paul Martin, who made 69 appearances for the Mooloo’s between 1993-2000.   

Waikato take on Taranaki Bulls at Tauranga Domain on Saturday afternoon, kick-off is at 2.05pm:

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.    Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu)

8.    Rupeni Tamani (Hamilton Old Boys)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

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.  Beaudein Waaka (Melville)

16.  Sam Cooper (Hamilton Old Boys)

17.  Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

18.  Rob Cobb (Hamilton Old Boys)

19.  James Thompson (Hautapu)

20.  Tom Martin (Marist St Pats)*

21.  Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

22.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

23.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

* Waikato Debut

Check out our digital matchday programme here

Article added: Friday 15 October 2021