It is the battle of the Kaimai’s when Waikato travels to Rotorua International Stadium to face Bay of Plenty on Friday night in week six of the Mitre 10 Cup.

With both teams being a part of the Chiefs region, Waikato will challenge Bay of Plenty for the Chiefs Country Cup. Bay of Plenty is the current holders of the trophy after winning it in the inaugural clash against Taranaki in week 1 and defending the following week against Counties Manukau. The winner of this week’s match will get to keep the trophy until next season as both sides do not face anymore Chiefs regional teams.

Waikato head Coach Jono Gibbes has made several changes to his match day 23. In the forwards there are two changes; Tim Bond gets a rest this week so Laghlan McWhannell moves in one spot to accommodate James Tucker who comes off the bench to start. Sam Caird has been named on the bench as lock cover.

In the loose forwards Adam Burn and Mitch Jacobson remain at blindside and openside flanker respectively, they are joined by Murray Iti who returns to the starting side and will start at number 8. With Iti starting Jono Armstrong has been named as loose forward cover.

The only change to the backline has Tyler Campbell trading places with Bailyn Sullivan to start on the right wing.

There will be a player milestone in this game as hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho will play his 18 match for the province and will be rewarded with his blazer.

Waikato take on Bay of Plenty at Rotorua International Stadium in Rotorua on Friday night, kick-off is at 7.35pm.

1.    Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu)

2.    Samisoni Taukei’aho (Fraser Tech)

3.    Joshua Iosefa-Scott (Melville)

4.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

5.    James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

6.    Adam Burn (Hamilton Old Boys)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu)

8.    Murray Iti (Otorohanga)

9.    Jack Stratton (University)

10.  Fletcher Smith (University)

11.  Sevu Reece (Hamilton Old Boys)

12.  Dwayne Sweeney – Captain (Morrinsville Sports)

13.  Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

14.  Tyler Campbell (University)

15.  Matty Lansdown (Fraser Tech

16.  Sekope Lopeti-Moli (Hautapu)

17.  Haereiti Hetet (Otorohanga)

18.  Sosaia Fale (Hamilton Old Boys)

19.  Sam Caird (Hautapu)

20.  Jono Armstrong (Hautapu)

21.  Raniera Takarangi (Hamilton Old Boys)

22.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

           23.  Mosese Dawai (Otorohanga)

Article added: Thursday 20 September 2018