Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC are fresh from their bye week and travel up state highway one to face Auckland Storm at Colin Maiden Park, in week 6 of the Farah Palmer Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Head coach, Greg Smith, has made several changes to his starting XV. Hooker, Vici-Rose Green trades places with Grace Houpapa-Barrett to start, joining Toka Natua and Esther Faiaoga-Tilo to make up the front row. 

Leomie Kloppers, comes into the starting line-up and will link up with Victoria Makea to make up a formidable second row duo.

There is plenty of experience in the loose forward trio, Captain, Chyna Hohepa, return to the starting XV and takes over at number 8. Hohepa’s return means Kennedy Simon moves back one spot to openside flanker and Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland retains her place at blindside flanker.

Ariana Bayler trades places with Samantha Wood to start at halfback. Bayler will form an exciting halves pairing with Kiriana Nolan who remains at first five eight.

In the midfield, Ana Marsters replaces Rina Paraone to start at outside centre. Marsters is joined in the centres by Carla Hohepa who holds her position at inside centre.  

There is a new outside backs trio, Chantae Wilson-Jenkins keeps her spot on the right wing but this week she is joined by Reese Anderson, who is set to earn tenth cap and her Mooloo Bell after being named on the left wing and Lela Ieremia has been named at fullback, replacing Renee Holmes.

In the reserves, Tanya Kalounivale is set to make play her first game in 2023 in the tri colours, while Aaliyah Konui comes onto the bench and has her chance to earn her second Waikato cap.

Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC take on Auckland Storm, at Colin Maiden Park, Auckland on Sunday, kick-off is at 2.05pm:

1.    Toka Natua (University)

2.    Vici-Rose Green (Hamilton Old Boys)

3.    Esther Faiaoga-Tilo (Hamilton Old Boys)

4.    Leomie Kloppers (Hamilton Old Boys)

5.    Victoria Makea (University)

6.    Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland (Melville)

7.    Kennedy Simon (Hamilton Old Boys)

8.    Chyna Hohepa (Kihikihi) - Captain

9.    Ariana Bayler (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Kiriana Nolan (Kihikihi)

11.  Reese Anderson (Hamilton Old Boys) – Mooloo Bell (10^th Waikato game)

12.  Carla Hohepa (Kihikihi)

13.  Ana Marsters (Hamilton Old Boys)

14.  Chantae Wilson-Jenkins (Southern United)

15.  Lela Ieremia (Melville)

16.  Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Otorohanga)

17.  Caitlin Crozier (University)

18.  Tanya Kalounivale (Hamilton Old Boys)

19.  Mia Anderson (University)

20.  Leata Puni-Lio (Hamilton Old Boys)

21.  Samantha Wood (Melville)

22.  Kaea Nepia (Hamilton Old Boys)

23.  Aaliyah Konui (Hamilton Old Boys)  

Article added: Saturday 19 August 2023