Waikato NPC have named their matchday 23 as they travel down to the Capital to challenge the Wellington Lions for the Ranfurly Shield at Sky Stadium, Welllington, for round 8 of the Bunnings National Provincial Championship.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has again made several changes to his side that narrowly lost to Otago on Sunday afternoon.

Hooker, Rhys Marshall, retains his place in the front row, he is joined by returning co-captain, Ayden Johnstone, who has been named at loosehead prop and Sefo Kautai comes off the bench to start at tighthead prop. With the return of Johnstone and Kautai to the starting XV both Ollie Norris and George Dyer move to the reserves for this match.

James Tucker, also retains his spot in the starting XV and is joined in the second row by returning lock, Laghlan McWhannell. McWhannell’s inclusion in the second row has Hamilton Burr move out one spot to blindside flanker and Samipeni Finau moves from blindside flanker to number 8.

Co-captain, Mitch Jacobson, also make his return to matchday 23 and will take up his preferred spot at openside flanker. Jacobson’s return means Patrick McCurran moves to the reserves and Luke Jacobson drop out of the team to rejoin the All Blacks.

In the backs, Damian McKenzie, moves from fullback to first five eight allowing Tepaea Cook-Savage to return to start at fullback. Also returning after a game off is right wing, Liam Coombes-Fabling, who take over from Tana Tuhakaraina, who moves to the reserves for this match.

Waikato take on Wellington Lions at Sky Stadium on Saturday afternoon, kick-off is at 4.35pm:

1.    Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu) – co-captain

2.    Rhys Marshall

3.    Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

4.    James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

5.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

6.    Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu) – co-captain

8.    Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Damian McKenzie (University)

11.  Daniel Sinkinson (Melville)

12.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

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.  Patrick McCurran (Fraser Tech)

20.  Jack Lam (Hamilton Marist)

21.  Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

22.  Tana Tuhakaraina (United Matamata Sports)

23.  Mosese Dawai (Otorohanga)

Article added: Friday 23 September 2022