Waikato NPC has been named as the team travels north this week to face North Harbour at North Harbour Stadium for round 5 of the Bunnings NPC.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has made a few changes to his matchday 23. The front row remains unchanged with the only change to the tight five being at right lock. Captain, Hamilton Burr moves from blindside flanker to right lock, joining James Tucker who retains his place in the second row.

Burr’s move into the second row allows Malachi Wrampling to come into the starting XV, he takes over the blindside flanker position. Wrampling will combine with Jack Lam and Simon Parker to make up the loose forward trio.

In the backs, there is a new midfield pairing. Austin Anderson returns to the matchday 23 and takes over at inside centre pushing Quinn Tupaea to outside centre.

The final change to the backline is a positional switch for Liam Coombes-Fabling and Tepaea Cook-Savage. Coombes-Fabling moves from the right wing to fullback and Cook-Savage will start on the right wing.

In the reserves, there is only one change, with Xavier Saifoloi coming back into the match day 23 to cover the locks. Saifoloi has a chance to play his third game for Waikato earning him his Waikato tie.

As always when these two sides meet the Les Pearce Cup will be on the line. Waikato are the current holders of the silverware after claiming it off North Harbour back in 2020.

Waikato NPC take on North Harbour at North harbour Stadium, Albany on Saturday afternoon, kick-off is at 4:35pm:

1.    Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

2.    Pita Anae-Ah Sue (Hautapu)

3.    George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

4.    James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

5.    Hamilton Burr (Hautapu) - Captain

6.    Malachi Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

7.    Jack Lam (Hamilton Marist)

8.    Simon Parker (Hautapu)

9.    Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

10.  Taha Kemara (Te Awamutu Sports)

11.  Daniel Sinkinson (Melville)

12.  Austin Anderson (Te Awamutu Sports)

13.  Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

14.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

15.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

16.  Sean Ralph (Te Awamutu Sports)

17.  Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu)

18.  Solomone Tukuafu (Hamilton Old Boys)

19.  Xavier Saifoloi (University)

20.  Joe Johnston

21.  Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

22.  Aaron Cruden

23. Tana Tuhakaraina (United Matamata Sports)

Article added: Friday 01 September 2023