Waikato NPC have announced their match day 23 for their first match of the 2023 Bunnings National Provincial Championship (NPC), when the team travels to Invercargill to face Southland Stags at Rugby Park on Sunday afternoon.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has named co-captain Ayden Johnstone at loosehead prop. Johnstone is joined in the front row by Hautapu teammate, Pita Anae-Ah Sue, who will start at hooker and George Dyer has been named at tighthead prop.

It is an experienced second row duo, that features James Tucker and Hamilton Burr teaming up as the locks. Both players combine for a total of 97 Waikato caps between them.

In the loose forwards, Malachi Wrampling, has been named at blindside flanker and will join his older brother Gideon as a capped Waikato player. Wrampling is joined by co-captain Mitch Jacobson who will start at openside flanker and Simon Parker will anchor the back of the scrum at number 8.

Josh Ioane will make his run-on Waikato debut after being named to start at first five eight. Ioane is joined in the halves by halfback, Cortez Ratima.

In the midfield, Quinn Tupaea, make his long a waited return to first class rugby and has been named at inside centre, while Hamilton Old Boys teammate, Gideon Wrampling, will play outside him at outside centre.

The outside backs feature, Daniel Sinkinson on the left wing, Tepaea Cook-Savage at fullback and joining them on the right wing is the very experienced, Bailyn Sullivan, who is set to add to his 55 Waikato caps.

In the reserves, Te Awamutu Sports rookie duo of Sean Ralph and Tai Cribb have a chance to earn their first Waikato cap from the bench. Also featuring in the reserves are Ollie Norris, Solomone Tukuafu, Patrick McCurran, Xavier Roe and Tana Tuhakaraina will provide impact from the bench when called upon.

Waikato NPC take on Southland Stags, at Rugby Park, Invercargill on Sunday, kick-off is at 4.35pm:

1. Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu) – Co-Captain

2. Pita Anae-Ah Sue (Hautapu)

3. George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

4. James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

5. Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

6. Malachi Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)*

7. Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu) – Co-Captain

8. Simon Parker (Hautapu)

9. Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

10. Josh Ioane (United Matamata Sports)*

11. Daniel Sinkinson (Melville)

12. Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

13. Gideon Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

14. Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

15. Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

16. Sean Ralph (Te Awamutu Sports)*

17. Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

18. Solomone Tukuafu (Hamilton Old Boys)

19. Tai Cribb (Te Awamutu Sports)*

20. Patrick McCurran (Fraser Tech)

21. Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

22. Taha Kemara (Te Awamutu Sports)

23. Tana Tuhakaraina (United Matamata Sports)

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Friday 04 August 2023