Waitomo Group Waikato FPC have announced their matchday 23 for their clash against Canterbury in week 2 of the Farah Palmer Cup at Beetham Park.

Waitomo Group Waikato FPC will host the reigning champs, Canterbury, in somewhat of a rematch of last years 2020 Farah Palmer Cup final, that saw both sides go head-to-head with Waikato come agonisingly close to their maiden title.

Head coach, James Semple, has named his matchday 23 for their first game of the 2021 Farah Palmer Cup, that will feature five 2020 Blackferns squad members and five players who have a chance to make their Waikato debuts.

In the front row 2020 regular starters, hooker, Grace Houpapa-Barrett and tighthead prop, Tanya Kalounivale, are joined by returning loosehead prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, who has returned to the Waikato set up after a season off.

Also making her provincial return is, Victoria Edmonds, who will add another cap to her total, as she approaches 50 caps for the province. She is joined in the second row by Leomie Kloppers to make up the locks.

There is a new loose forwards trio with Emma-Lee Heta starting at blindside flanker is, Kennedy Simon at openside flanker and Sina Hetet will start at the back of the scrum at number 8.

In the backs, Waikato rookie, Klee Begbie, will team up with returning flyhalf, Kennedy Tahau, to make up a new halves pairing. Chelsea Alley will again captain the side from inside centre, while her outside centre partner, Nikita Porima, will make her Waikato debut.

Gabby Wainohu is set to make her provincial debut on the left wing, she is joined by experienced and regular 2020 outside backs starters, Cheyelle Robins-Reti, who has been named on the right wing and Renee Holmes at fullback.  

In the reserves, Claudia Hobbs and Reese Anderson, have a chance to come off the bench to earn their first Waikato cap. While Ryleigh Hayes and Rina Paraone return from their season away from the game and have a chance to add to their provincial caps.

Waitomo Group Waikato FPC take on Canterbury at Beetham Park, Hamilton on Saturday afternoon; kick-off is at 1.00pm. Catch the game live on Sky Sports 1.

1.    Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (Hamilton Old Boys)

2.    Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Melville

3.    Tanya Kalounivale (Hamilton Old Boys)

4.    Leomie Kloppers (Hamilton Old Boys)

5.    Victoria Edmonds (University)

6.    Emma-Lee Heta (Kihikihi)

7.    Kennedy Simon (Hamilton Old Boys)

8.    Sina Hetet (Otorohanga)

9.    Klee Begbie (Putaruru)*

10.  Kennedy Tahau (Hamilton Old Boys)

11.  Gabby Wainohu (Melville)*

12.  Chelsea Alley (University) - Captain

13.  Nikita Porima (Melville)*

14.  Cheyelle Robins-Reti (Melville)

15.  Renee Holmes (Hamilton Old Boys)

16.  Merania Paraone (Kihikihi)

17.  Claudia Hobbs (University)*

18.  Esther Tilo-Faiaoga (Melville)

19.  Chyna Hohepa (Kihikihi) – Vice Captain

20.  Ryleigh Hayes (Melville)

21.  Reese Anderson (Hamilton Old Boys)*

22.  Rina Paraone (Kihikihi)

23.  Kelsey Teneti (Hamilton Old Boys)

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Friday 23 July 2021