The University of Waikato: Waikato Women have named their side for their top of the table clash against Auckland Strom at Eden Park in week 7 of the Farah Palmer Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Waikato have already secured their spot in the Farah Palmer Cup semi-finals. But a victory over Auckland will mean Waikato will finish at the top of the Northern pool, securing themselves a home semi-final for the following weekend.

Head coach, James Semple, has named a strong matchday 22 with several key players returning after being rested last weekend.

Changes to the forward pack sees the return of hooker, Grace Houpapa-Barrett and prop, Tanya Kalounivale joining Toka Natua in the front row. Merania Paraone and Esther Tilo-Faiaoga shift back to the reserves bench to cover hooker and prop respectively.

In the second row, Mia Anderson trades places with Leomie Kloopers to start alongside Chyna Hohepa.

Emma-Lee Heta has been named at openside flanker, pushing Kennedy Simon back to number 8 and Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland moves to blindside flanker to make up the loose forward trio. Sina Hetet will provide loose forward cover from the reserves.

The only change to the backs, sees Carla Hohepa named at centre. Hohepa’s return means Stacey Fluhler moves back to the left wing and Makaia Riki-Te Kanawa drops back to the reserves.

Both Hohepa sisters have been named in the starting XV, reuniting the sister in the tricolours for the first time since 2013.

The University of Waikato: Waikato Women take on Auckland Storm at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon; kickoff is at 1.15pm.

1.    Toka Natua (University)

2.    Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Melville

3.    Tanya Kalounivale (Hamilton Old Boys)

4.    Mia Anderson (Melville)

5.    Chyna Hohepa (Kihikihi) – Vice Captain

6.    Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland (Melville)

7.    Emma-Lee Heta (Kihikihi)

8.    Kennedy Simon (Hamilton Old Boys)

9.    Ariana Bayler (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Tenika Willison

11.  Stacey Fluhler (Melville)

12.  Chelsea Alley (University) - Captain

13.  Carla Hohepa (Kihikihi)

14.  Cheyelle Robins-Reti

15.  Renee Holmes (Hamilton Old Boys)

16.  Merania Paraone (Kihikihi)

17.  Stephanie Lualua (Hamitlon Old Boys)

18.  Esther Tilo-Faiaoga (Melville)

19.  Leomie Kloppers (Hamilton Old Boys)

20.  Sina Hetet (Otorohanga)

21.  Makaia Riki-Te Kanawa (Hamilton Old Boys)

22.  Kelsey Teneti (Hamilton Old Boys)

Article added: Friday 16 October 2020