Waikato has named their team to face Otago in their final Ranfurly Shield defence of the 2018 season when the two sides meet at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday evening in week nine of the Mitre 10 Cup.

Waikato head Coach Jono Gibbes has made minimal changes to the match day 23. In the forward pack there are two changes; Toby Smith returns to the front row to start at loosehead prop, swapping with Ayden Johnstone who will make an impact from the reserves.

The other change is in the loose forwards with Mitch Jacobson also returning to start at openside flanker trading places with Jono Armstrong who moves back to the reserves.

In the backline there is one change, after a late change last week saw Tyler Campbell come into the starting line up to start on the right wing, this week he swaps to start on the left wing.

Declan O’Donnell makes his long awaited return from injury and has been named in the reserves and will cover the back three.

FMG Stadium Waikato will again play host to a double header with the SKYCITY Hamilton Waikato Women’s team playing Counties Manukau Heat in a Farah Palmer Cup semi final from 2.05pm, followed by Waikato’s Ranfurly Shield defence against Otago at 5.05pm.

Waikato take on Otago at FMG Stadium Waikato Saturday evening, kick-off is at 5.05pm.

1.    Toby Smith (Hamilton Old Boys)

2.    Samisoni Taukei’aho (Fraser Tech) 

3.    Joshua Iosefa-Scott (Melville)

4.    Tim Bond (University)

5.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

6.    James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu)

8.    Jordan Manihera (Hamilton Old Boys)

9.    Jack Stratton (University)

10.  Fletcher Smith (University)

11.  Tyler Campbell (University)

12.  Dwayne Sweeney – Captain (Morrinsville Sports)

13.  Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

14.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

15.  Matty Lansdown (Fraser Tech)

16.  Sekope Lopeti-Moli (Hautapu)

17.  Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu)

18.  Sosaia Fale (Hamilton Old Boys)

19.  Adam Burn (Hamilton Old Boys)

20.  Jono Armstrong (Hautapu)

21.  Raniera Takarangi (Hamilton Old Boys)

22.  Pepesana Patafilo (Morrinsville Sport)

            23.  Declan O’Donnell (Melville)

Article added: Friday 12 October 2018