Waikato NPC have announced their matchday 23 to face Counties Manukau at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe for round 3 of the Bunnings National Provincial Championship.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has made several changes to his squad that beat Northland Taniwha in Whangarei last weekend.

There is a new front row combination that will see Rob Cobb take over at loosehead prop for co-captain Ayden Johnstone and Pita Anae Ah-Sue trades places with Rhys Marshall to start. Both players join Sefo Kautai who retains his place at tighthead prop.

In the second row Samipeni Finau moves to blindside flanker, allowing Hamilton Burr to start with Laghlan McWhannell in the locks.

Mitch Jacobson retains his place at openside flanker and will captain the side for this match. Both Finau and Jacobson are joined by Te Rama Rueben to make up the loose forwards. Rueben will start for the first time this season at number 8.

In the backs, Rhys Dickinson, get his first start of the season at halfback forming a halves combination with Damian McKenzie.

In the midfield, D’Angelo Leuila, retains his place at inside centre and he is again joined by Bailyn Sullivan who swaps places with Alapati Leiua, to start at outside centre. Alapati moves to the reserves for this match.

Finally in the outside backs, Mosese Dawai and Daniel Sinkinson, both swap wings from last weekend.

In the reserves, both Solomone Tukuafu and Taha Kemara, both have their chance to make their Waikato debuts, while Ollie Norris and James Thompson both have their chance to make their first appearance for Waikato this season.

Waikato take on Counties Manukau at Navigation Homes Stadium, Hamilton on Friday night, kick-off is at 7.05pm:

1.    Rob Cobb (Hamilton Old Boys

2.    Pita Anae Ah-Sue (Southern United)

3.    Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

4.    Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

5.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

6.   Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu) – Captain

8.    Te Rama Reuben (University)

9.    Rhys Dickinson (Fraser Tech)

10.  Damian McKenzie (University)

11.  Mosese Dawai (Otorohanga)

12.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Daniel Sinkinson (Melville)

15.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

16.  Rhys Marshall

17.  Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

18.  Solomone Tukuafu (Hamilton Old Boys)*

19.  James Thompson (Hautapu)

20.  Liam Messam (Hautapu)

21.  Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

22.  Taha Kemara (Te Awamutu Sports)*

23.  Alapati Leiua

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Thursday 18 August 2022