Waikato kick off their 2021 Bunnings Warehouse NPC campaign this weekend against North Harbour at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Waikato head coach, Ross Filipo, has named his matchday 23 to defend the Les Pearce Cup, a challenge trophy that is contested by both provinces, which Waikato won off North Harbour in 2020 with a 41-19 victory.

In the forward pack, co-captain Ayden Johnstone, Sekope Lopeti-Moli and Sefo Kautai make up a formidable front row. In the second row, James Tucker and Laghlan McWhannell, will wear the number 4 and 5 jerseys respectively to make up the tight five.

It’s a powerful loose forward trio that features Samipeni Finau, at blindside flanker, Mitch Jacobson, at openside flanker and Jack Lam at number 8.

In the backs, Xavier Roe and co-captain Fletcher Smith, will continue their successful halves combinations from 2020. While it’s a new midfield combination; D’Angelo Leuila is set to make his Waikato debut at inside centre joining forces with Bailyn Sullivan at outside centre.

Mosese Dawai has been named on the left wing and will once again wear the tricolours for this first time since 2018. Dawai is joined in the outside backs by right winger, Liam Coombes-Fabling and fullback, Matty Lansdown.  

In the reserves, Tepaea Cook-Savage, has been named at 23 and has a chance to make his Waikato debut as outside backs cover.

Waikato take on North Harbour at North Harbour Stadium in Albany on Sunday afternoon, kick-off is at 2.05pm:

1.    Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu)

2.    Sekope Lopeti-Moli (University)

3.    Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

4.    James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

5.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

6.    Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu)

8.    Jack Lam (Hamilton Marist)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Fletcher Smith (University)

11.  Mosese Dawai (Hautapu)

12.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

15.  Matty Lansdown (Fraser Tech)

16.  TBC

17.  Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

18.  George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

19.  Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

20.  Liam Messam (Hautapu)

21.  Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

22.  TBC

23.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)*

* = Waikato Debuts

Article added: Saturday 07 August 2021