Waikato NPC have named their matchday 23 to face Taranaki Bulls when the team travels to Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth for round 5 of the Bunnings National Provincial Championship.

The Ryan Wheeler memorial trophy will again be on the line with Waikato challenging Taranaki, who are the current holders of the trophy, after beating Waikato 33-26 at Tauranga Domain in round 7 of the 2021 season.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has again made several changes to his squad that convincingly beat Manawatu Turbos in Hamilton last Friday night.

Co-captain Ayden Johnstone retains his place in the front row but is joined by Rhys Marshall who has been promoted from the bench to start at hooker and Sefo Kautai who returns to the starting XV after being named at tighthead prop. Marshall’s promotion means Pita Anae Ah-Sue moves to the reserves to provide impact from the bench for this match.

There is a new second row combination, James Tucker returns to start and will join forces with James Thompson who has earns his first start of the season.

In the backline, halfback, Xavier Roe, keeps his spot but is joined in the halves by D’Angelo Leuila who moves from inside centre, allowing Alapati Leiua to start in the midfield. Leuila positional moves sees Damian McKenzie drop back to fullback for this match.

McKenzie’s moves also sees Liam Coombes-Fabling move in one spot to the right wing pushing Daniel Sinkinson to the left wing. Mosese Dawai moves to the reserves for this match.

In the reserves, Jack Lam, and Te Rama Reuben come back into the matchday 23 to provide power from the bench.

Two players will celebrate milestones in this match, prop Sefo Kautai and outside centre Bailyn Sullivan both will celebrate their 50th cap for the province.

Waikato take on Taranaki Bulls at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth on Saturday afternoon, kick-off is at 2.05pm:

1.    Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu) – co-captain

2.    Rhys Marshall

3.    Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist) – 50^th Waikato game

4.    James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

5.    James Thompson (Hautapu)

6.    Patrick McCurran (Fraser Tech)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu) – co-captain

8.    Luke Jacobson (Hautapu)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

11.  Daniel Sinkinson (Melville)

12.  Alapati Leiua

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist) – 50^th Waikato game

14.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

15.  Damian McKenzie (University)

16.  Pita Anae Ah-Sue (Southern United)

17.  Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

18.  George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

19.  Jack Lam (Hamilton Marist)

20.  Te Rama Reuben (University)

21.  Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

22.  Taha Kemara (Te Awamutu Sports)

23.  Mosese Dawai (Otorohanga)

Article added: Friday 02 September 2022