Waikato will kick off their 2020 Mitre 10 Cup campaign at home this weekend when they face Wellington at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday afternoon.

Waikato head coach, Andrew Strawbridge, has named his matchday 23 that will feature Waikato’s current All Blacks, Anton Leinert-Brown and Damian McKenzie.

In the forward pack, Ollie Norris, Samisoni Takei’aho and Sefo Kautai make up a powerful front row. It is a mobile and versatile second row with Hamilton Burr and Samipeni Finau wearing the number 4 and 5 jersey.

The loose forward trio features both Jacobson brothers, Mitch and Luke at openside and number 8 respectively. Joining the Jacobson’s will be former All Black, Adam Thomson, at blindside flanker. Thomson will make his run on debut for the province.

In the backs, Xavier Roe, will make his Mooloo’s debut, combining with Fletcher Smith in the halves. The exciting Super Rugby midfield combination of Anton Lienert-Brown and Quinn Tupaea will continue to excel at a provincial level.

Patrick Osborne has been named on the left wing and will make his Waikato debut joining Bailyn Sullivan and Damian McKenzie to make up an electrifying outside back trio.

In the reserves, Steven Misa, returns to Waikato for the first time since 2016 and has a chance to add to his eleven Waikato caps.

Rob Cobb will wear the number 17 jersey and Josh Iosefa-Scott will  as prop cover. Hautapu duo of James Thompson and Simon Parker will cover the locks and loose forwards respectively and Rivez Reihana will cover one of the back positions.

Finally, Otorohanga halfback, Cortez Ratima, and Fraser Tech utility back, Liam Coombes-Fabling will both have a chance to debut for the province via the bench.

Due to COVID restrictions there will be no general public in attendance but a select number of sponsors and season ticket holders will be in atteddance adhering to tsocial distancing rules and in bubbles of less than 100. However the game will be featured on SKY TV as game two a part of a doubler header at FMG Stadium Waikato.

Waikato take on Wellington at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon, kick-off is at 2.05pm:

1.    Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

2.    Samisoni Taukei’aho (Fraser Tech)

3.    Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

4.    Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

5.    Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys

6.    Adam Thomson (Morrinsville Sports)*

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu)

8.    Luke Jacobson (Hautapu) - Captain

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)*

10.  Fletcher Smith (University)

11.  Patrick Osborne (Fraser Tech)*

12.  Anton Lienert-Brown (University)

13.  Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

14.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

15.  Damian McKenzie (University)

16.  Steven Misa (Hamilton Marist)

17.  Rob Cobb (Hamilton Old Boys)

18.  Josh Iosefa-Scott (Melville)

19.  James Thompson (Hautapu)

20.  Simon Parker (Hautapu)

21.  Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)*

22.  Rivez Reihana (Melville)

23.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)*

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Friday 11 September 2020