Waikato travel back up State Highway 1 to face Auckland at Eden Park for semi-final 1 of the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership on Saturday afternoon.

Waikato head coach, Andrew Strawbridge, has named his strongest side for this must win clash.

There is only one change to the front row with Sefo Kautai coming off the bench trading places with Josh Iosefa-Scott. Kautai joins Samisoni Taukei’aho and Ollie Norris to make up a formidable front row.

Hamilton Burr moves back into the second row to again combine with Samipeni Finau. Burr’s return to lock has James Thompson moving back to the reserves for this match.

Adam Thomson comes back into the starting XV and will start at blindside flanker. Thomson reunites with Luke Jacobson and Liam Messam to make up the loose forward trio.

Fletcher Smith is back in the starting line-up and has been named at first five eight after missing the last few weeks. Smith return pushed beaudein Waaka out to the let wing.

Bailyn Sullivan move back to his preferred position of inside centre and Matty Lansdown comes into the starting XV to start at fullback.

Liam Coombes-Fabling has been named on the right wing trading places with Gideon Wrampling moving back to the reserves.

In the reserves, Steven Misa and returns to the matchday 23 and will provide impact from the bench. While Rhys Dickinson will provide halfback cover after Cortez Ratima was ruled out due to injury.

Waikato take on Auckland at Eden Park 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.    Luke Jacobson (Hautapu) - Captain

8.    Liam Messam (Raglan)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Flecther Smith (University)

11.  Beaudien Waaka (Melville)

12.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

13.  Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

14.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

15.  Matty Lansdown (Fraser Tech)

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.  Rhys Dickinson (Fraser Tech)

22.  Patrick Osbourne (Fraser Tech)

23.  Gideon Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

Article added: Friday 20 November 2020