Waikato have named their squad for round 3 of the Bunnings NPC, as they travel north again to challenge North Harbour for the Les Pearce Cup at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

North Harbour are the current holders of the Les Pearce Cup after taking the silverware off Waikato last season. The Les Pearce Cup is a challenge trophy that is competed for between the two provinces.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has amde two changes to his starting XV, one to the forward pack and the other is in the backline. Ollie Norris returns to the starting side and takes over at loosehead prop for co-captain, Ayden Johnstone. While Josh Moorby returns to start at fullback, taking over from Austin Anderson. 

There are four changes to the reserves, Sean Ralph, Hamilton Burr, Xavier Saifoloi and Tepaea Cook-Savage all have a chance to make their first appearance for the province this season. Hamilton Burr has a chance to reach his 50^th game milestone in this match. Burr first made his debut for the province against Canterbury back in round 1 of 2019.

Waikato take on North Harbour in round 3 of the Bunnings NPC at North Harbour Stadium, on Sunday afternoon, kick-off is at 4.35pm:

1.    Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

2.    Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia (University)

3.    George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

4.    Tai Cribb (Hamilton Marist)

5.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

6.    Malachi Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

7.    Senita Lauaki (Hautapu)

8.    Patrick McCurran (Fraser Tech)  

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys) – Captain

10.  Taha Kemara (Te Awamutu Sports)

11.  Gideon Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

12.  Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Daniel Sinkinson (Suburbs)

15.  Josh Moorby (Te Awamutu Sports)

16.  Sean Ralph (Te Awamutu Sports)

17.  Mason Tupaea (Hamilton Marist)

18.  Solomone Tukuafu (Hamilton Old Boys)

19.  Hamilton Burr (Hautapu) – 50 Games

20.  Xavier Saifoloi (University)

21.  Quintony Ngatai (Hautapu)

22.  Aaron Cruden (Morrinsville Sports)

23.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Saturday 24 August 2024