Waikato travel to New Plymouth this week to challenge Taranaki Bulls for the Ryan Wheeler Memorial trophy in round 5 of the Bunnings NPC at Yarrow Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Ryan Wheeler memorial trophy is a challenge trophy that is competed for when the two provinces meet in the regular season. Taranaki are the current holders of the trophy, after beating Waikato 29-17 at FMG Stadium Waikato last season.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has again made multiple changes to his matchday 23 for his sides third game of storm week. Ollie Norris has been named to start at loosehead prop in place of Ayden Johnstone, who has been ruled out. Sean Ralph retains his place at hooker and George Dyer returns to the matchday 23 and takes over at tighthead prop, pushing Solomone Tukuafu to the reserves.

There are no changes to the second row and Xavier Siafoloi and Oli Mathis both retain their place at blindside and openside flanker respectively. Patrick McCurran returns to the matchday 23 and takes his place at number 8, replacing Senita Lauaki who is being rested for this match. McCurran will play his 18^th match for Waikato earning him his Waikato Blazer.

In the backs, Xavier Roe returns to start at halfback and will take over the captain’s armband. Roe trades places with Quintony Ngatai who moves back to the reserves.

Aaron Cruden also returns to start at first five eight pushing Tepaea Cook-Savage out to the left wing and Aki Tuivailala moves to the reserves.

Austin Anderson retains his spot at inside centre, he is joined in the midfield by Bailyn Sullivan, who returns to start at outside centre. Sullivan’s return to the starting XV means Gideon Wrampling moves out one spot to the right wing in place of the Daniel Sinkinson who is ruled out due to a hamstring strain.

Finally, Mason Tupaea returns to the matchday 23 as loosehead cover and has a chance to earn his sixth Waikato cap.

Waikato take on Taranaki Bulls in game 3 of storm week for round 5 of the Bunnings NPC at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth on Sunday afternoon, kick-off is at 2.05pm:

1.    Ollie Hautapu)

2.    Sean Ralph (Te Awamutu Sports)

3.    George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

4.    Josh Balme (Hamilton Marist)

5.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

6.    Xavier Saifoloi (University)

7.    Oli Mathis (University)

8.    Patrick McCurran (Fraser Tech) – Blazer Game (18^th Waikato Cap)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys) – Captain

10.  Aaron Cruden (Morrinsville Sports)

11.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

12.  Austin Anderson (Te Awamutu Sports)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Gideon Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

15.  Josh Moorby (Te Awamutu Sports)

16.  Pita Anae-Ah Sue (Hautapu)

17.  Mason Tupaea (Hamilton Marist)

18.  Solomone Tukuafu (Hamilton Old Boys)

19.  Tai Cribb (Hamilton Marist)

20.  Adrein Wharawhara (Hamilton Marist)

21.  Quintony Ngatai (Hautapu)

22.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

23.  Aki Tuivailala (Hamilton Old Boys)

Article added: Friday 06 September 2024