Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC have announced their side to face Counties Manukau Heat in their final regular season match in the Farah Palmer Cup at Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe on Saturday afternoon.

The Chiefs Country Cup will again be on the line as Waikato look to defend the trophy for the final time in 2022.

Head coach, Wayne Maxwell, has made several changes to his matchday 23 that beat Auckland last weekend.

There is only one change to the forwards, and that change is in the front row. Vici-Rose Green has been promoted from the bench to start at hooker replacing Grace Houpapa-Barrett.

In the backs, Ariana Bayler has been recalled into the Black Ferns, so Reese Anderson comes off the bench to start at halfback reuniting with Calista Ruruku in the halves.

Carla Hohepa returns from injury to start at outside centre forming a formidable midfield combination with Rina Paraone, who moves in one spot to inside centre and Lonita Ngalu-Lavemai will provide impact from the bench.

The final change to the starting XV is on the right wing with Chantae Wilson-Jenkins being promoted from the bench to on the right wing replacing Montessa Tairakena.

In the reserves Tafiau Fetalaiga will provide hooker cover after playing prop cover for most of the season allowing Chyann Kaitapu a chance to make her Waikato debut as loosehead prop cover. Finally, Ngawai Hawera returns to the reserves to provide outside backs cover.

Two players are set for milestone this weekend. Prop Toka Natua is set to play her 35^th game for Waikato and Merania Paraone will play her 18^th match for the province and will be rewarded with her Waikato blazer.

Waikato take on Counties Manukau Heat at Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe on Saturday afternoon, kick-off is at 12.05pm:

1.    Toka Natua (University) – 35^th Waikato Game

2.    Vici-Rose Green (Hamilton Old Boys)

3.    Rianna Aspinall (Melville)

4.    Esther Tilo-Faiaoga (Hamilton Old Boys)

5.    Leomie Kloppers (Hamilton Old Boys)

6.    Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland (Melville) - Captain

7.    Emma-Lee Heta (Kihikihi)

8.    Victoria Makea (University)

9.    Reese Anderson (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Calista Ruruku (University)

11.  Merania Paraone (Kihikihi) – Blazer Game

12.  Rina Paraone (Kihikihi)

13.  Carla Hohepa (Kihikihi)

14.  Chantae Wilson-Jenkins (Southern United)

15.  Cheyelle Robins-Reti

16.  Tafiau Fetalaiga (Hamilton Old Boys)

17.  Chyann Kaitapu (Melville)*

18.  Rianna Aspinall (Melville)

19.  Claudia Hobbs (University)

20.  Leata Puni Lio (Hamilton Old Boys)

21.  Violet Hapi-Wise (Hamilton Old Boys)

22.  Lonita Ngalu-Lavemai (Hamilton Old Boys)

23.  Ngawai Hawera (Hamilton Old Boys)

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Friday 26 August 2022