Waikato will begin their 2019 Mitre 10 Cup campaign at home when they face 2018 Premiership runners up Canterbury at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday night.

Waikato head coach Andrew Strawbridge has named Dwayne Sweeney as captain for this match and the 2019 season. Sweeney is the most experienced player in the squad having already accumulated 93 caps for the province.

There are twelve players that have been named in the starting XV that featured in the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup Championship final. In the forward pack Ayden Johnstone, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Tim Bond, Mitch Jacobson all retain their places, while Murry Iti who started from the bench in that final has been elevated to start at the back of the scrum.

In the backs, halves pairing of Jack Stratton and Fletcher Smith will continue their successful partnership from last season, as well as centre pairing of Dwayne Sweeney and Quinn Tupaea. In the outside backs Tyler Campbell remains in the starting XV but moves back into fullback and Bailyn Sullivan gets a start on the right wing.

There are eight players at have been named in the match day 23 who have the opportunity to make their debut for the province. In the starting XV, Hautapu’s James Thompson and Hamilton Burr has been named at lock and blindside flanker respectively and Zimbabwean born, Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, has been named on the left wing.

In the reserves Sam Cooper, Ollie Norris, Api Naikatini, Simon Parker, Rivez Reihana and Louis Rogers have a chance to debut via the bench.

Waikato take on Canterbury at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Saturday night, kick-off is at 7.35pm:

1.    Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu)

2.    Samisoni Taukei’aho (Fraser Tech)

3.    Josh Iosefa-Scott (Melville)

4.    Tim Bond (Morrinsville Sports)

5.    James Thompson (Hautapu)

6.    Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu)

8.    Murray Iti (Otorohanga)

9.    Jack Stratton (Hautapu)

10.  Fletcher Smith (University)

11.  Brandon Muszekenyedzi (Hautapu)

12.  Dwayne Sweeney - Captain (Morrinsville Sports)

13.  Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

14.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

15.  Tyler Campbell (University)

16.  Sam Cooper (Hamilton Old Boys)

17.  Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

18.  Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

19.  Api Naikatini (Taupiri)

20.  Simon Parker (Hautapu)

21.  Raniera Takarangi (Hamilton Old Boys) 

22.  Rivez Reihana (Melville)

23.  Louis Rogers (University)

* = Waikato Debuts

Unavailable for selection

Solomon Alaimalo, Jahrome Brown, Matty Lansdown, Anton Lienert-Brown, Luke Jacsobson, Sekope Lopeti-Moli, Damian McKenzie, Laghlan McWhannell, Sevu Reece, Taleni Seu, Toby Smith, James Tucker

Article added: Thursday 08 August 2019