Waitomo Group: Waikato Women will host their first ever Farah Palmer Cup Final at FMG Stadium Waikato when they face Canterbury on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach, James Semple, has made no changes to his side that beat Auckland Strom last weekend to book themselves a home final for the first time in Waikato Rugby history.

The front row consists of the Melville dynamic duo of Chyann Kaitapu and Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively.  Joining them in the front row is the experienced hooker, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, who is the competition leading try scorer.

In the second row, Logan Hauraki and Jade Coates, continue their fantastic combination. Coates has in be in great form this season and currently is second in the competitions for lineouts won.   

It is an experienced loose forward trio, that will see, Mia Anderson, Emma-Lee Heta and Captain, Chyna Hohepa combining at blindside, openside flanker and Number Eight respectively, with all three players combining for a total of 126 provincial caps.

In recent weeks, the halves pairing of Ariana Bayler and Kaea Nepia will continue their successful combination, that has seen them move the team around the park well setting up their backline to attack.

Chelsea Semple and Rina Paraone will continue their formidable combination in the midfield, both players feature in the top ten for line breaks and defenders beaten.

Finally, the outside backs feature, Ana Marsters on the left wing, Lele Ieremia on the right and Reese Anderson at fullback. Ieremia also features as the seventh equal for tries scored this season.

In the reserves, Vici-Rose Green, Toka Natua, Tafiau Fetalaiga, Leomie Kloppers, Leata Puni-Lio, Nyesha Hamilton, Hinemaringi Scott and Montessa Tairakena have proven to be great impact players when called upon.

Waitomo Group Waikato Women host Canterbury in the Farah Palmer Cup Final at FMG Stadium Waikato, on Saturday afternoon, kick-off is at 12:35pm:

1.    Chyann Kaitapu (Melville)

2.    Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Otorohanga)

3.    Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (Melville)

4.    Logan Hauraki (University)

5.    Jade Coates (Hamilton Old Boys)

6.    Mia Anderson

7.    Emma-Lee Heta (Otorohanga)

8.    Chyna Hohepa (Kihikihi) - Captain

9.    Ariana Bayler (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Kaea Nepia (Hamilton Old Boys)

11.  Ana Marsters (Hamilton Old Boys)

12.  Chelsea Semple (University)

13.  Rina Paraone (Otorohanga)

14.  Lela Ieremia (Melville)

15.  Reese Anderson (Hamilton Old Boys)

16.  Vici-Rose Green (Hamilton Old Boys)

17.  Toka Natua (University)

18.  Tafiau Fetalaiga (Hamilton Old Boys)

19.  Leomie Kloppers (Hamilton Old Boys)

20.  Leata Puni-Lio (Hamilton Old Boys)

21.  Nyesha Hamilton (Hamilton Old Boys)

22.  Hinemaringi Scott (University)

23.  Montessa Tairakena (Hamilton Old Boys)

Article added: Thursday 03 October 2024