Waikato NPC are set for their first of two games for their storm week, when the team travels to Napier to face Hawke's Bay Magpies at McLean Park on Wednesday night.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has made significant changes to his matchday 23. There is a new front row combination, Rhys Marshall and Solomone Tukuafu come off the bench to start at hooker and tighthead prop respectively. Joining Ollie Norris who was a late starter at loosehead prop against Bay of Plenty.

Hamilton Burr who retains his place in the second row and will captain the team in the absence of regular co-captains. While Tai Cribb get his first start at lock, replacing James Tucker, Cribb will combine with Burr to make up the new second row combination.

In the loose forwards, Patirck McCurran retains his positions at openside flanker. He is joined by Xavier Saifoloi who will make his Waikato run on debut at blindside and Te Rama Reuben, who gets his first start in 2023 at the back of the scrum, replacing Simon Parker who moves to the bench to provide impact when called upon.

Xavier Roe comes off the bench to start at halfback replacing Cortez Ratima. Roe will combine with Taha Kemara to make up the halves.

In the midfield, after making his Waikato debut off the bench against Bay of Plenty last weekend, Austin Anderson, has been named at inside centre trading places with Gideon Wrampling. Anderson will be joined by Bailyn Sullivan who retains his place at outside centre.

Liam Coombes-Fabling makes the move from the right wing to fullback replacing Tepaea Cook-Savage who moves to the reserves for this match. Coombes-Fabling positional move allows Cody Nordstrom to make his Waikato run on debut on the right wing. The final change to the starting XV will see Tana Tuhakaraina start on the left wing replacing Daniel Sinkinson.

In the reserves, three players have a chance to make their Waikato debuts. These players are prop Mason Tupaea, loose forward Zinzan Hansen and halfback Nui Muriwai. The final changes to the reserves will see Sean Ralph have a chance to earn his second Waikato cap and Tolu Fahamokioa has a chance to earn his fourth cap.

Waikato NPC take on Hawke’s Bay Magpies, at McLean Park, Napier on Wednesday night, kick-off is at 5.35pm:

1.    Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

2.    Rhys Marshall

3.    Solomone Tukuafu (Hamilton Old Boys)

4.    Tai Cribb (Te Awamutu Sports)

5.    Hamilton Burr (Hautapu) – Captain

6.    Xavier Saifoloi (University)*

7.    Patrick McCurran (Fraser Tech)

8.    Te Rama Reuben (University)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Taha Kemara (Te Awamutu Sports)

11.  Tana Tuhakaraina (United Matamata Sports)

12.  Austin Anderson (Te Awamutu Sports)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Cody Nordstrom (Te Awamutu Sports)*

15.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

16.  Rhys Marshall

17.  Mason Tupaea (Hamilton Marist)*

18.  Tolu Fahamokioa

19.  Zinzan Hansen (University)*

20.  Simon Parker (Hautapu)

21.  Nui Muriwai (University)*

22.  Gideon Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

23.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Tuesday 15 August 2023