The University of Waikato: Waikato Women kick off their 2020 Farah Palmer Cup campaign this Saturday at home when they host Northland Kauri at the University of Waikato.

James Semple takes over as head coach for the 2020 season and has named a side that features a good mixture of experience and youth.

Sixteen players in the matchday 22 have featured for the province or have had Farah Palmer Cup experience. The team will be captained once again by experienced Black Fern, Chelsea Alley, in the midfield. Alley will be supported by vice-captain, Chyna Hohepa.

Six players have a chance to make their Waikato debuts. Three players will make their run on debut in the starting XV, they are lock, Daeja-Bernice Kaponga, blindside flanker, Sina Hetet, and left wing, Manaia Nuku.

Merania Paraone, Mia Anderson and Kelsey Teneti all have a chance to make their Waikato debuts via the bench.

Anderson is a former Northland Kauri representative and has a chance to make her debut against her old province after making the move down this year to study at The University of Waikato.

Kennedy Simon has been named at number 8 and will celebrate a milestone in this match. Simon is set to play her 18^th match for the province, which will mark her blazer game.

Due to COVID restrictions there will be no spectators in attendance, but the game will be live streamed on the Waikato Rugby Union Facebook page.

The University of Waikato: Waikato Women take on Northland Kauri at The University of Waikato on Saturday afternoon; kick-off is at 12.30pm.

1.    Toka Natua (University)

2.    Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Melville)

3.    Tanya Kalounivale (Hamilton Old Boys)

4.    Daeja-Bernice Kaponga (Putaruru)*

5.    Chyna Hohepa (Kihikihi) - Vice Captain

6.    Sina Hetet (Otorohanga)*

7.    Emma-Lee Heta (Kihikihi)

8.    Kennedy Simon (Hamilton Old Boys)

9.    Ariana Bayler (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Tenika Willison

11.  Manaia Nuku (Melville)*

12.  Chelsea Alley (University) - Captain

13.  Makaia Riki-Te Kanawa (Hamilton Old Boys)

14.  Hannah Brough (Otorohanga)

15.  Renee Holmes (Hamilton Old Boys)

16.  Merania Paraone (Kihikihi)*

17.  Esther Tilo-Faiaoga (Melville)

18.  Mia Anderson (Melville)*

19.  Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland (Melville)

20.  Cheyelle Robin-Reti

21.  Kiriana Nolan (Melville)   

22.  Kelsey Teneti (Hamilton Old Boys)*

* = Waikato debut

Article added: Friday 04 September 2020