Waikato return to Hamilton and will host Hawke’s Bay Magpies at FMG Stadium Waikato in round 6 of the Bunnings NPC on Saturday night.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has made several changes to this week’s side. Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia returns to the matchday 23 and takes over at hooker, as the only change to the front row. Boyle-Tiatia inclusion in the starting XV means Sean Ralph moves back to the reserves.

The second row remains unchanged, with the final changes to the forward pack being in the loose forwards. All Blacks duo, Samipeni Finau and Luke Jacobson, have been released from international duty this week and take their places at blindside and openside flankers respectively. While Malachi Wrampling also returns to anchor the back of the scrum at number 8. With the return of Finau, Jacobson and Wrampling, Xavier Saifoloi and Patrick McCurran moves to the reserves to provide impact when called upon.

Co-Captain, Xavier Roe, retains his place at halfback but is joined in the halves by D’Angelo Leuila who starts at first five eight in place of Aaron Cruden.  

There is a new midfield combination, Gideon Wrampling moves from the right wing to start at inside centre, linking up with Bailyn Sullivan who retains his place at outside centre. Wrampling’s positional moves means Austin Anderson moves to the reserves for this match.

There is a new outside backs trio, Tepaea Cook-Savage moves from the left wing to fullback taking over from Josh Moorby who has been ruled out for this match. Cook-Savage positional moves mean, Aki Tuivailala, is elevated from the reserves to start on the left wing. While Quinn Tupaea returns from injury, to start on the right wing to complete the outside backs.

In the reserves, co-captain Ayden Johnstone, returns to the matchday 23 via the reserves and will be loosehead prop cover. While the final change has Jole Naufahu named as outside back’s cover and has a chance to earn his second provincial cap.

Waikato take on Hawke’s Bay Magpies in round 6 of the Bunnings NPC at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday night, kick-off is at 7.05pm:

1.    Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

2.    Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia (University)

3.    George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

4.    Josh Balme (Hamilton Marist)

5.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

6.    Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)

7.    Luke Jacobson (Hautapu)

8.    Malachi Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys) – Co-Captain

10.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

11.  Aki Tuivailala (Hamilton Old Boys)

12.  Gideon Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

15.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

16.  Sean Ralph (Te Awamutu Sports)

17.  Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu) – Co-Captain

18.  Solomone Tukuafu (Hamilton Old Boys)

19.  Xavier Saifoloi (University)

20.  Patrick McCurran (Fraser Tech)

21.  Quintony Ngatai (Hautapu)

22.  Austin Anderson (Te Awamutu Sports)

23.  Jole Naufahu (University)

Article added: Thursday 12 September 2024