Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC have announced their matchday 23 to face Canterbury in a rematch of last seasons Premiership final in week 5 the Farah Palmer Cup at OrangeTheory Stadium, Christchurch on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach, Wayne Maxwell, has made minimal changes to his starting XV that beat Bay of Plenty Volcanix last weekend. The front row and loose forward trio remains unchanged, with the only changes to the forward pack coming in the second row.

Esther Tilo-Faiaoga moves in one spot making room for Chyna Hohepa, who earns her first start of the season. Leomie Kloppers moves to the reserves and will provide impact from the bench for this match.

After recovering from illness last week, Ariana Bayler, makes her long awaited return to halfback to join Calista Ruruku in the halves.

After late disruptions caused a reshuffle to the backline last weekend, Maxwell has remained with  these changes this week. Merania Paraone again will start on the left wing allowing Montessa Tairakena to get another start on the right wing. Rina Paraone moved to inside centre for the injured Chelsea Semple and Cheyelle Robins-Reti will again start at outside centre. Renee Holmes retains her place at fullback and will continue to co-captain the side from that position.

In the reserves, Reese Anderson will provide halfback cover, Lonita Ngalu-Lavemai make her return from concussion that she sustained back in week 1 against the Manawatu Cyclones and Ngawai Hawera has the potential to add to her Waikato caps as outside back cover.

Waikato take on Canterbury at OrangeTheory Stadium, Christchurch on Saturday afternoon, kick-off is at 4.35pm:

1.    Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (Hamilton Old Boys)

2.    Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Otorohanga)

3.    Tanya Kalounivale (Hamilton Old Boys)

4.    Esther Tilo-Faiaoga (Hamilton Old Boys)

5.    Chyna Hohepa (Kihikihi)

6.    Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland (Melville)

7.    Kennedy Simon (Hamilton Old Boys) – Co-Captain

8.    Victoria Makea (University)

9.    Ariana Bayler (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Calista Ruruku (University)

11.  Merania Paraone (Kihikihi)

12.  Rina Paraone (Kihikihi)

13.  Cheyelle Robins-Reti

14.  Montessa Tairakena (Hamilton Old Boys)

15.  Renee Holmes (Hamilton Old Boys) – Co-Captain

16.  Vici-Rose Green (Hamilton Old Boys)

17.  Tafiau Fetalaiga (Hamilton Old Boys)

18.  Rianna Aspinall (Melville)

19.  Leomie Kloppers (Hamilton Old Boys)

20.  Emma-Lee Heta (Kihikihi)

21.  Reese Anderson (Hamilton Old Boys)

22.  Lonita Ngalu-Lavemai (Hamilton Old Boys)

23.  Ngawai Hawera (Hamilton Old Boys)

Article added: Friday 12 August 2022