Waikato has announced its 43-man Mitre 10 Cup squad for the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup season.

This year’s squad features seventeen new faces; these players will have the chance to play their first cap for the province. Earlier this year Solomon Alaimalo, Taleni Seu and Api Naikatini were announced as new signing to the team. They are joined by first year Waikato players including New Zealand Under 20’s representatives Samipeni Finau, Ollie Norris, Simon Parker and Rivez Reihana, Waikato club rugby players Hamilton Burr (Hautapu), Sam Cooper (Hamilton Old Boys), Brandon Mudzekenyedzi (Hautapu), Carlos Price (Hamilton Marist), Louis Rogers (University), Antonio Shalfoon (Te Awamutu Sports), Valynce Te Whare-Crosby (Fraser Tech), James Thompson (Hautapu),  Newton Tudreu (Hamilton Marist) and Manawa Veitayaki (Otorohanga).

The bulk of the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup Championship winning squad return to play for the province. 26 out of the 43 players named were a part of the team that helped Waikato return to the Premiership. Waikato head coach Andrew Strawbridge said “We are pleased that we were able to retain bulk of the squad that helped us gain promotion back into the Premiership. We know the new players that have been selected and the current group in the squad are hardworking men and are always looking to grow their game.

This has been the main driver for us during the offseason looking for the hard workers that will make the province proud and continuing on from the successes of last season.”

Among the 43-man squad there are sixteen Super Rugby players and four current All Blacks representatives. All Blacks Anton Lienert-Brown, Luke Jacobson and Sevu Reece may have very little game time due to International commitments. Damian McKenzie will miss the entire 2019 season as he recovers from a leg injury he sustained in the 2019 Super Rugby season.

Waikato's 2019 Mitre 10 Cup campaign begins this Saturday against Canterbury at FMG Stadium, kickoff 7.35pm.

2019 Waikato Mitre 10 Cup Squad

Forwards

Tim Bond (11) Morrinsville Sports

Jahrome Brown (2) Melville

Hamilton Burr (*) Hautapu

Sam Cooper (*) Hamilton Old Boys

Samipeni Finau (*) Hamilton Old Boys

Haereiti Hetet (5) Otorohanga

Josh Iosefa-Scott 20) Melville

Murray Iti (23) Otorohanga

Luke Jacobson (10) Hautapu

Mitch Jacobson (37) Hautapu

Ayden Johnstone (21) Hautapu

Sosefo Kautai (21) Hamilton Marist

Sekope Lopeti-Moli (9) Hautapu

Laghlan McWhannell (13) Hautapu

Api Naikatini (*)

Ollie Norris (*) Hautapu

Simon Parker (*) Hautapu

Taleni Seu (*) Melville

Antonio Shalfoon (*) Te Awamutu Sports

Toby Smith (57) Hamilton Old Boys

Samisoni Taukeiaho (23) Fraser Tech

James Thompson (*) Hautapu

James Tucker (34) Hamilton Marist

Manawa Veitayaki (*) Otorohanga

Backs

Solomon Alaimalo (*) Hamilton Marist

Tyler Campbell (25) University

Matty Lansdown (22) Fraser Tech

Anton Lienert-Brown (19) University

Damian McKenzie (24) University

Brandon Mudzekenyedzi (*) Hautapu

Declan O’Donnell (34) Melville

Carlos Price (*) Hamilton Marist

Sevu Reece (33) Hamilton Old Boys

Rivez Reihana (*) Melville

Louis Rogers (*) University

Fletcher Smith (12)

Jack Stratton (11) Hautapu

Bailyn Sullivan (7) Hamilton Marist

Dwayne Sweeney (93) Morrinsville Sports

Raniera Takarangi (8) Hamilton Old Boys

Valynce Te Whare-Crosby (*) Fraser Tech

Newton Tudreu (*) Hamilton Marist

Quinn Tupaea (12) Hamilton Old Boys

() = caps for Waikato

* = uncapped

Article added: Tuesday 06 August 2019