Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC have named their side to face Canterbury at Rugby Park in Christchurch for round 2 of the Farah Palmer Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Head Coach, James Semple, has made three changes to his starting XV that beat Bay of Plenty Volcanix last weekend.

The front row is unchanged from last week, with the only change to the tight five being at lock. Chyna Hohepa moves from Number 8 and will start in the second row with Jade Coates. Logan Hauraki moves to the reserves to provide impact when called upon.

With Hohepa moving into the second row, Mia Anderson comes off the bench and starts at blindside flanker, pushing Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland to Number 8. While Emma-Lee Heta retains her place at openside flanker.

The only change to the backs is on the left wing, it is a straight swap with Reese Anderson coming off the bench and trading places with Montessa Tairakena.

In the reserves, Finau Mafi, Toka Natua and Tafiau Fetalaiga have all been included for the first time in 2024 to add to their provincial caps and University player, Hinemaringi Scott, has a chance to make her Waikato debut.  

Two players are also in line for milestones, they are Jade Coates and Tafiau Fetalaiga, who are both set for their tenth Waikato cap earning them their Mooloo Bell.

Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC take on Canterbury at Rugby Park in Christchurch, on Sunday afternoon, kick-off is at 2:05pm

1.    Chyann Kaitapu (Melville)

2.    Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Otorohanga)

3.    Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (Melville)

4.    Chyna Hohepa (Kihikihi) - Captain

5.    Jade Coates (Hamilton Old Boys)

6.    Mia Anderson

7.    Emma-Lee Heta (Otorohanga)

8.    Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland (Melville) – Vice Captain

9.    Violet Hapi-Wise (Suburbs)

10.  Kiriana Nolan (Kihikihi)

11.  Reese Anderson (Hamilton Old Boys)

12.  Chelsea Semple (University)

13.  Rina Paraone (Otorohanga)

14.  Lela Ieremia (Melville)

15.  Kaea Nepia (Hamilton Old Boys)

16.  Finau Mafi (University)

17.  Toka Natua (University)

18.  Tafiau Fetalaiga (Hamilton Old Boys)

19.  Logan Hauraki (University)

20.  Nyesha Hamilton (Hamilton Old Boys)

21.  Ariana Bayler (Hamilton Old Boys)

22.  Hinemaringi Scott (University)*

23.  Montessa Tairakena (Hamilton Old Boys)

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Wednesday 14 August 2024