Waikato have announced their match day 23 to face Canterbury in a rematch of their round 3 fixture when the two teams face off at Waikato’s home away from home, Rotorua International Stadium in the Bunnings NPC Premiership semi-final on Saturday night.

Due to Hamilton continuing to be in alert level 3, Waikato are unable to play at FMG Stadium Waikato. So with the help again from the Bay of Plenty Rugby union the game will again be played at Rotorua International Stadium. 

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has made four changes to his match day 23 that beat Otago last Friday. Co-Captain, Ayden Johnstone, has been ruled out for this match, so Mitch Jacobson takes over the captaincy. Johnstone’s absence means Ollie Norris returns to the starting line up and takes over at loosehead prop. 

Hamilton Burr moves into the second row in place of James Thompson to accommodate the return of Samipeni Finau who has been named at blindside flanker. The final change to the forward pack is at number 8 with Jack Lam taking over from Rupeni Tamani. Both Thompson and Tamani shift to the reserves to provide impact from the bench.

In the reserves Rob Cobb returns to provide prop cover as the final change to Waikato’s match day 23.

Waikato take on Canterbury at Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua on Saturday night, kick-off is at 7.05pm:

1.    Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

2.    Rhys Marshall

3.    George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

4.    James Tucker (Hamilton Marist) 

5.    Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

6.    Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu) - Captain

8.    Jack Lam (Hamilton Marist)

9.    Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga) 

10.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

11.  Mosese Dawai (Hautapu)

12.  Gideon Wrampling (Te Awamutu Sports)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

15.  Ryan Tongia (Hamilton Marist)

16.  Steven Misa (Hamilton Marist)

17.  Rob Cobb (Hamilton Old Boys)

18.  Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

19.  James Thompson (Hautapu)

20.  Rupeni Tamani (Hamilton Old Boys)

21.  Rhys Dickinson (Fraser Tech)

22.  Fletcher Smith (University)

23.  Beaudein Waaka (Melville)

Article added: Friday 12 November 2021