Waikato NPC have named their matchday 23 as they return home to FMG Stadium Waikato to face Auckland, in the Battle of the Bombay’s for round 6 of the Bunnings National Provincial Championship.

This match will see Waikato challenge Auckland for the Stan Thomas Memorial trophy after Auckland successfully defended the trophy in the two teams last meeting back in 2020.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has again made several changes to his squad that beat Taranaki Bulls in New Plymouth last Saturday afternoon.

Changes to the forward pack are at lock and in the loose forwards, Laghlan McWhannell returns to the matchday 23 and will partner James Tucker in the second row.

Samipeni Finau return to blindside flanker for this match taking over from Patrick McCurran who moves to the reserves and the final change to the forward pack sees Liam Messam taking over at number 8 from Luke Jacobson, after he was recalled back into the All Blacks earlier this week.

The only change to the backline has Damian McKenzie returning to first five eight, allowing Tepaea Cook-Savage to make his return to the starting XV at fullback.

The only change to the reserves has Tana Tuhakaraina return to th matchday 23 and has a chance to make his second apearance for Waikato.

Waikato take on Auckland at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Friday night, kick-off is at 7.05pm:

1.    Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu) – co-captain

2.    Rhys Marshall

3.    Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

4.    James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

5.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

6.    Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu) – co-captain

8.    Liam Messam (Hautapu)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Damian McKenzie (University)

11.  Daniel Sinkinson (Melville)

12.  Alapati Leiua

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

15.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

16.  Pita Anae Ah-Sue (Southern United)

17.  Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

18.  George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

19.  Te Rama Reuben (University)

20.  Patrick McCurran (Fraser Tech)

21.  Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

22.  Tana Tuhakaraina (United Matamata Sports)

23.  Mosese Dawai (Otorohanga)

Article added: Thursday 08 September 2022