Waikato NPC have announced their matchday 23 for their opening game of the 2022 Bunnings National Provincial Championship, when they host Hawke’s Bay Magpies at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has had the privilege of naming thirteen players that played in last season premiership final in his matchday 23.

The tight five features, co-captain, Ayden Johnstone at loosehead prop, Rhys Marshall, at hooker, George Dyer, at tighthead prop with James Tucker and Hamilton Burr in the second row. All five players started in the same positions in the final last season.

In the loose forwards, Liam Messam, will run out for his 100^th Waikato game, becoming Waikato’s newest centurion joining many Waikato greats to achieve this milestone. Messam is joined in the loosies by co-captain Mitch Jacobson at openside flanker and his brother Luke Jacobson will anchor the back of the scrum.

In the backs, Xavier Roe, has been named at halfback and is set to play his 18^th Waikato game earning him his blazer. Joining Roe in the halves is fan favourite, Damian McKenzie, who will control play from flyhalf.

In the midfield, D’Angelo Leuila, is named at inside centre joining 2021 regular starting outside centre and premiership final hero, Bailyn Sullivan.

There is a new outside backs combination that features, Daniel Sinkinson, on the left wing, Liam Coombes-Fabling, on the right wing and Tepaea Cook-Savage at fullback.

In the reserves, Pita Anae-Ah Sue and Alapati Leiua are both set to make their Waikato debut as hooker and midfield cover respectively. Rob Cobb and Sefo Kauati will cover the props, Laghlan McWhannell is second row cover, Jack Lam will provide impact from the bench for the loose forwards, Cortez Ratima will be halfback cover and finally Mosese Dawai will provide cover for the outside backs .    

Waikato take on Hawke's Bay Magpies at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday, kick-off is at 4.35pm:

1.    Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu) – Co-Captain

2.    Rhys Marshall

3.    George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

4.    James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

5.    Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

6.    Liam Messam (Hautapu) – 100^th Waikato Game

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu) – Co-Captain

8.    Luke Jacobson (Hautapu)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys) – Blazer Game

10.  Damian McKenzie (University)

11.  Daniel Sinkinson (Melville)

12.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

15.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

16.  Pita Anae-Ah Sue*

17.  Rob Cobb (Hamilton Old Boys)

18.  Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

19.  Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

20.  Jack Lam (Hamilton Marist)

21.  Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

22.  Alapati Leiua*

23.  Mosese Dawai (Otorohanga)

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Friday 05 August 2022