SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Women’s team named for Farah Palmer Cup opener against Auckland.


Photo Credit: Lauran Robinson Images

The SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Women kick off their 2019 Farah Palmer Cup season this weekend in game one of a double header at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday evening.

The team will be looking to continue their success and repeat their previous two seasons results, where they have beaten rivals Auckland back to back.

SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Women’s head coach, Wayne Maxwell, has named an experienced side that features seventeen returning players from 2018 and previous seasons.

There are five players that have a chance to make their Waikato debuts in this match. Two will debut in the starting XV, lock Tazmin Gaby-Sutherland, younger sister to vice captain Ash Gaby-Sutherland, has been named in the second row and Renee Holmes has been named at first five eight.

In the reserves hooker Josina Ngare, halfback Kennedy Tahau and outside back Sophie Millar have a chance to make their debut for the province after being named on the bench.

This match will also feature milestones for a couple of the women in the match day 23, Emma-Lee Heta and Chyna Hohepa are both set to be rewarded with their Waikato blazers, marking their eighteenth match for the province.  

SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Women take on Auckland at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday evening; kick-off is at 5.35pm.

1.    Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (Hamilton Old Boys)

2.    Azusa Yama (Hamilton Old Boys)

3.    Tanya Kalounivale (Hamilton Old Boys)

4.    Tazmin Gaby-Sutherland (Melville)*

5.    Esther Tilo-Faiaoga (Melville)

6.    Ash Gaby-Sutherland (Melville) Vice Captain

7.    Emma-Lee Heta (Kihikihi)

8.    Lena Mitchell (Hamilton Old Boys)

9.    Raquel Anderson-Pitman (University)

10.  Renee Holmes (Hamilton Old Boys)*

11.  Lonita Ngalu-Lavemei (Melville)

12.  Chelsea Alley (University) Captain

13.  Rina Paraone (Kihikihi)

14.  Donna Reynolds (Hamilton Old Boys)

15.  Calista Ruruku (University)

 

16.  Josina Ngare (University)*

17.  Toka Natua (University)

 18. Francea Hansen (University)

19.  Leomie Kloppers (Hamilton Old Boys)

20.  Chyna Hohepa (Kihikihi)

21.  Kennedy Tahau (Hamilton Old Boys) *

22.  Sophie Millar (University)*

* = Waikato debut


Article added: Friday 30 August 2019

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