Waikato NPC has been named to host Counties Manukau Steelers, in game two of a double header at FMG Stadium Waikato for round 4 of the Bunnings NPC.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has made several changes to his matchday 23. The tight five remains unchanged with the only changes to the forward pack being the flankers. Hamilton Burr and Jack Lam both return to the starting line-up, replacing Xavier Saifoloi and Patirck McCurran, at blindside and openside flanker respectively. Burr takes over the captaincy for this match.

In the back, the changes are in the midfield and at fullback. Quinn Tupaea made a successful return last week from the bench and takes over at inside centre replacing Austin Anderson. Tepaea Cook-Savage returns at fullback and will earn his Waikato Blazer, for achieving 18 caps for the province. Cook-Savage returns pushes Liam Coombes Fabling out to right wing, taking over from Bailyn Sullivan.

In the reserves, Ayden Johnstone, Malachi Wrampling and Tana Tuhakaraina all make their return to the matchday 23.

Two players have a chance to make their Waikato debut from the reserves. Firstly, Joe Johnston, has been named as loose forward cover. Johnston has played provincial rugby for Bay of Plenty and has recently returned from America after playing for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby.

The second player to make his Waikato debut is former All Blacks and Gallagher Chiefs, First Five Eight and World Cup winner, Aaron Cruden, who returns to New Zealand after playing in Japan.

Waikato NPC take on Counties Manukau Steelers at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton on Sunday afternoon, kick-off is at 4.35pm:

1.    Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

2.    Pita Anae-Ah Sue (Hautapu)

3.    George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

4.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

5.    James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

6.    Hamilton Burr (Hautapu) - Captain

7.    Jack Lam (Hamilton Marist)

8.    Simon Parker (Hautapu)

9.    Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

10.  Taha Kemara (Te Awamutu Sports)

11.  Daniel Sinkinson (Melville)

12.  Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

13.  Gideon Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

14.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

15.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech) – Blazer Game (18^th Waikato Game)

16.  Sean Ralph (Te Awamutu Sports)

17.  Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu)

18.  Solomone Tukuafu (Hamilton Old Boys)

19.  Malachi Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

20.  Joe Johnston*

21.  Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

22.  Aaron Cruden*

23. Tana Tuhakaraina (United Matamata Sports)

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Saturday 26 August 2023