Waikato return home to FMG Stadium Waikato as they get set to host Otago for round 8 of the Bunnings NPC.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has made four changes to his starting XV. There is only one change to the forward pack, Pita Anae-Ah Sue comes off the bench trading places with Sean Ralph to start at hooker.

In the backs, Aaron Cruden joins last weeks, hat-trick hero, Xavier Roe in the halves and has been named at first five eight. Cruden’s start means Tepaea Cook-Savage moves to the right wing pushing Cody Nordstrom to the reserves to provide impact when called upon.

The final change to the backline, has Bailyn Sullivan returning to the starting line-up. Sullivan takes over on the left wing for Aki Tuivailala, who moves to the reserves for this match.

There are no further changes to the reserves.

Waikato NPC take on Otago at FMG Stadium Waikato, on Sunday afternoon, kick-off is at 4.35pm:

1.   Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu) - Captain

2.   Pita Anae-Ah Sue (Hautapu)

3.   George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

4.   James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

5.   Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

6.   Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)

7.   Joe Johnston

8.   Simon Parker (Hautapu)

9.   Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

10. Aaron Cruden

11. Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

12. Austin Anderson (Te Awamutu Sports)

13. Tana Tuhakaraina (United Matamata Sports)

14. Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

15. Daniel Sinkinson (Melville)

16. Sean Ralph (Te Awamutu Sports)

17. Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

18. Solomone Tukuafu (Hamilton Old Boys)

19. Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

20. Malachi Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

21. Quintony Ngatai (Hautapu)

22. Aki Tuivailala (Hamilton Old Boys)

23. Cody Nordstrom (Te Awamutu Sports)

Article added: Saturday 23 September 2023