Photo Credit: Lauran Robinson Images
Waikato team named for Battle of the Bombays clash with Auckland
Waikato travel up State Highway 1 for their Battle of the Bombay clash with Auckland at Eden Park in week 8 of the Mitre 10 Cup on Saturday night.
As always, the Stan Thomas trophy will again be on the line when these two sides meet. The current holder of this challenge trophy is Auckland, after they retained the trophy with a 20 all draw at FMG Stadium Waikato last season.
Waikato head coach, Andrew Strawbridge, has made several changes to his matchday 23 that beat Taranaki last weekend.
There is only one change to the forward pack. Rob Cobb and Ollie Norris trade places, with Cobb to start at loosehead prop and Norris moving to the reserves.
Xavier Roe returns to the matchday 23 to start at halfback, this sees Cortez Ratima moving back to the reserves to provide impact from the bench.
In the midfield, Bailyn Sullivan shifts in one spot to inside centre, as Quinn Tupaea returns to start at his preferred position of outside centre.
The final change to the starting XV has Gideon Wrampling named to start on the left wing forming an exciting back three combination with Coombes-Fabling and Waaka.
Steven Misa comes back into the matchday squad and will have his chance to play his 18th game for the province, earning him his Waikato blazer.
Finally, Louis Rogers will wear the 22 jersey and will cover the midfield from the bench.
Waikato take on Auckland at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday night, kick-off is at 7.05pm:
1. Robb Cobb (Hamilton Old Boys)
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (Fraser Tech)
3. Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)
4. Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)
5. Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)
6. Adam Thomson (Morrinsville Sports)
7. Luke Jacobson (Hautapu) - Captain
8. Liam Messam (Raglan)
9. Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)
10. Fletcher Smith (University)
11. Gideon Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)
12. Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)
13. Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)
14. Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)
15. Beaudein Waaka (Melville)
16. Steven Misa (Hamilton Marist)
17. Ollie Norris (Hautapu)
18. Josh Iosefa-Scott (Melville)
19. James Thompson (Hautapu)
20. Hugo Nankivell (Fraser Tech)
21. Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)
22. Rivez Reihana (Melville)
23. Louis Rogers (University)
Article added: Friday 30 October 2020
