Waikato NPC travel up State Highway 1 this week to face the old foe Auckland in the Battle of the Bombays at Bell Park, Pakuranga for round 7 of the Bunnings NPC.
Head coach, Ross Filipo, has made six changes to his matchday 23. The tight five and most of the loose forwards remain unchanged. There is the only one change to the forward pack and that is at blindside flanker. Samipeni Finau returns from his All Blacks commitments and take over from Xavier Saifoloi who moves to the reserves this week to provide impact when called upon.
In the backs, Xavier Roe retains his spot at halfback, but this week is joined by Tepaea Cook-Savage who moves from fullback to first five eight taking over from Taha Kemara.
The midfield and right wing remain untouched but the final changes to the starting XV has Daniel Sinkinson moving from left wing to fullback and Aki Tuivailala will make his run on Waikato debut from the left wing.
In the reserves, Laghlan McWhannell and Jack Lam both return from injury to take their spots ont he bench, while Hautapu's Quintony Ngatai has a chance to make his Waikato debut.
Both sides will compete for the Stan Thomas Memorial Trophy, a challenge trophy both provinces play for at provincial rugby and Waikato are the current holders of.
Waikato NPC take on Auckland at Bell Park, Auckland on Saturday afternoon, kick-off is at 2.05pm:
1. Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu) - Captain
2. Sean Ralph (Te Awamutu Sports)
3. George Dyer (Fraser Tech)
4. James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)
5. Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)
6. Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)
7. Joe Johnston
8. Simon Parker (Hautapu)
9. Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)
10. Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)
11. Aki Tuivailala (Hamilton Old Boys)*
12. Austin Anderson (Te Awamutu Sports)
13. Tana Tuhakaraina (United Matamata Sports)
14. Cody Nordstrom (Te Awamutu Sports)
15. Daniel Sinkinson (Melville)
16. Pita Anae-Ah Sue (Hautapu)
17. Ollie Norris (Hautapu)
18. Solomone Tukuafu (Hamilton Old Boys)
19. Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)
20. Xavier Saifoloi (University)
21. Malachi Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)
22. Jack Lam (Hamilton Marist)
23. Quintony Ngatai (Hautapu)*
* Waikato Debut
Article added: Friday 15 September 2023
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