Waikato NPC have announced their matchday 23 to face Manawatu Turbos when the two sides go head-to-head at FMG Stadium Waikato on Friday night for round 4 of the Bunnings National Provincial Championship.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has made seven changes to his squad that beat Counties Manukau in Pukekohe last Friday night.

Pita Anae Ah-Sue retains his place in the front row at hooker and is joined by returning co-captain, Ayden Johnstone, at loosehead prop and after debuting off the bench last week, Solomone Tukuafu gets his first start at tighthead prop replacing Sefo Kautai.

The second row remains unchanged, with the final two changes to the forward pack happening in the loose forwards. Co-captain, Mitch Jacobson, remains at openside flanker but he is joined by Patrick McCurran who is set to make his second appearance for the province at blindside flanker and Luke Jacobson returns to anchor the scrum at number 8.

In the backline there is only one change, halfback, Xavier Roe, has been rewarded with the start this week for his cameo off the bench last week and he replaces Rhys Dickinson.

In the reserves George Dyer and Cortez Ratima both return to the matchday 23 and will cover tighthead prop and halfback respectively.

Waikato take on Manawatu Turbos at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton on Friday night, kick-off is at 7.35pm:

1.    Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu) – co-captain

2.    Pita Anae Ah-Sue (Southern United)

3.    Solomone Tukuafu (Hamilton Old Boys)

4.    Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

5.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

6.   Patrick McCurran (Fraser Tech)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu) – co-captain

8.    Luke Jacobson (Hautapu)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Damian McKenzie (University)

11.  Mosese Dawai (Otorohanga)

12.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Daniel Sinkinson (Melville)

15.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

16.  Rhys Marshall

17.  Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

18.  George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

19.  James Thompson (Hautapu)

20.  Liam Messam (Hautapu)

21.  Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

22.  Taha Kemara (Te Awamutu Sports)

23.  Alapati Leiua

Article added: Thursday 25 August 2022