Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC are home this week and are set to face reigning champions Canterbury, in game two of the Farah Palmer Cup at St Paul’s Collegiate on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach, Greg Smith, has made four changes to his starting XV. Toka Natua and Grace Houpapa-Barrett joins Claudia Hobbs to up the front row. Natua and Houpapa-Barrett come off the bench to trade places with, Caitlin Crozier and Vici-Rose Green.

Lock, Silia Sakalia, was a late withdraw from last week’s match against Bay of Plenty Volcanix, this week she has again been named in the second row to make her run on debut for the province.

Ariana Bayler also comes off the bench to start at halfback joining Kiriana Nolan in the halves. Bayler’s promotion to the starting side sees Samantha Wood move to the reserves for this match.

In the midfield, Carla Hohepa has been named at inside centre and will join Rina Paraone to make up a formidable centre pairing. Hohepa’s starts means she trades places with Ana Marsters who moves to the reserves.

The final two changes to the matchday 23 are in the reserves. Black Ferns co-captain, Kennedy Simon, returns and will provide plenty of experience and impact when required. While Mia Anderson has been named to make her return to provincial rugby, after taking last season off for the birth of her first child.

Waikato take on Canterbury at St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton on Saturday, kick-off is at 2.05pm:

1.    Toka Natua (University)

2.    Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Otorohanga)

3.    Claudia Hobbs (University)

4.    Te Amohaere Ngata-Aerengamate (University)

5.    Silia Sakalia (Melville)*

6.    Victoria Makea (University)

7.    Emma-Lee Heta (Kihikihi)

8.    Chyna Hohepa (Kihikihi) – Captain

9.    Ariana Bayler (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Kiriana Nolan (Kihikihi)

11.  Merania Paraone (Kihikihi)

12.  Carla Hohepa (Kihikihi)

13.  Rina Paraone (Kihikihi)

14.  Chantae Wilson-Jenkins (Southern United)

15.  Lela Ieremia (Melville)

16.  Vici-Rose Green (Hamilton Old Boys)

17.  Caitlin Crozier (University)

18.  Tafiau Fetalaiga (Hamilton Old Boys)

19.  Mia Anderson (University)

20.  Kennedy Simon (Hamilton Old Boys)

21.  Samantha Wood (Melville)

22.  Ana Marsters (Hamilton Old Boys)

23.  Kaea Nepia (Hamilton Old Boys)

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Friday 21 July 2023