
The SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Women have named their team to defend their Chiefs Country Cup title when they take on provincial neighbours Bay of Plenty at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday afternoon.
Waikato are the current holder of the Chiefs Country Cup, after winning the inaugural match against Counties Manukau last season and then successfully defended the trophy against Bay of Plenty, to hold on to the cup for the remainder of 2018.
Head coach, Wayne Maxwell, has made several changes to his side that beat Manawatu Cyclones last weekend. There is a new front row combination, Toka Natua comes off the bench to start at loosehead shifting Awhina Tangen-Wainohu to tight head and Josina Ngare gets her first start of the season at hooker. Ngare trades places with Azusa Yama who moves to the reserves.
The final change to the forward pack has Chyna Hohepa named at blind side flanker winning her first start of the season.
In the backs there are a few positional changes; Renee Holmes moves from first five eight to halfback allowing Captain, Chelsea Alley, to shift from second five eight to first five. Ryleigh Hayes comes off the bench for her first start of the season; she has been named at second five.
There are two changes to the reserves, prop Stephanie Lualua has a chance to debut for the province as front row cover and lock Leomie Kloppers has a chance to make her sixth appearance for Waikato.
SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Women take on Bay of Plenty Volcanix at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday afternoon; kick-off is at 12.35pm.
1. Toka Natua (University)
2. Josina Ngare (University)
3. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (Hamilton Old Boys)
4. Jade Coates (Hamilton Old Boys)
5. Tazmin Gaby-Sutherland (Melville)
6. Chyna Hohepa (Kihikihi)
7. Emma-Lee Heta (Kihikihi)
8. Kennedy Simon (Hamilton Old Boys)
9. Renee Holmes (Hamilton Old Boys)
10. Chelsea Alley (University) - Captain
11. Lonita Ngalu-Lavemei (Melville)
12. Ryleigh Hayes (Melville)
13. Rina Paraone (Kihikihi)
14. Donna Reynolds (Hamilton Old Boys)
15. Calista Ruruku (University)
16. Azusa Yama (Hamilton Old Boys)
17. Stephanie Lualua (Hamilton Old Boys)*
18. Lena Mitchell (Hamilton Old Boys)
19. Leomie Kloppers (Hamilton Old Boys)
20. Kennedy Tahau (Hamilton Old Boys)
21. Mereana Hyde (University)
22. Sophie Millar (University)
* = Waikato debut
Article added: Friday 20 September 2019
Waikato Rugby
PO Box 9507
FMG Stadium Waikato Level 3,
Gate 5 / 128 Seddon Road, Whitiora 3204
Hamilton
P 021 704 944 E admin@mooloo.co.nz
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