Steamers v Waikato

[Stargazer]

Waikato

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)

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 Team Named for Bay of Plenty Game

It is the battle of the Kaimai s when Waikato travels to Rotorua International Stadium to face Bay of Plenty on Friday...

[Bovidae]

It would be nice to know who is unavailable through injury. Manihera was replaced at HT in the Hawke's Bay game so I assume still isn't fit. But Luke Jacobson and Toby Smith - anyone's guess.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Head Coach Clayton McMillan has been forced to make a number of changes due to the injuries to Tanerau Latimer, Hoani Matenga, Mike Delany and Chase Tiatia.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers front row remains unchanged with Solomona Sakalia, Tom Crozier and Ross Geldenhuys retaining their starting positions. Following an impressive debut, lock Nick Ross will combine with Kane Le’aupepe. Te Puna’s Zane Kapeli will start at six and Hugh Blake will don the number seven jersey, with Mitch Karpik moving to the bench. Tyler Ardron will captain the side from number eight.

In the backs half back Richard Judd returns from injury to start, with Luke Campbell named in jersey number twenty two. Judd will combine with Te Puke Sports Jason Robertson who earns his first start of the season at ten. Mathew Garland will also return from injury starting on the left wing, shifting Liam Steel into centre. Bailey Simonsson will don the number fourteen jersey while Kaleb Trask returns from the Under 19 Jock Hobbs Memorial Tournament to run out as fullback, in replacement for Chase Tiatia.

On the bench replacement front row of hooker Angus MacDonald, props James Lay and Jeff Thwaites retain their position in the twenty three.

Rotoiti lock Baden Wardlaw and Tauranga Sports number eight AJ Lafaele-Mua have edged their way onto the bench to complete the playing twenty three.

Bay of Plenty Steamers:

1. Solomona Sakalia (38)
2. Tom Crozier (3)
3. Ross Geldenhuys (5)
4. Nick Ross (1)
5. Kane Le’aupepe (3)
6. Zane Kapeli (2)
7. Hugh Blake (23)
8. Tyler Ardron (10) ©
9. Richard Judd (14)++
10. Jason Robertson (3)
11. Matthew Garland (6)
12. Terrence Hepetema (24)
13. Liam Steel (9)
14. Bailey Simonsson (2)
15. Kaleb Trask (2)

Reserves:

16. Angus MacDonald (4)
17. James Lay (15)
18. Jeff Thwaites (26)
19. Baden Wardlaw (3)
20. Mitch Karpik (11)
21. AJ Lafaele-Mua (3)
22. Luke Campbell (21)
23. Fa’asiu Fuatai (5)

[KiwiPie]

I'm having a bad feeling about this game - didn't need some of the top performers out and putting players in for first starts in key positions.

But I'm naturally pessimistic.

[OleOleOle]

Interesting tactic, Ross, Kapeli and Robertson all originally played for Waikato....maybe Clayton is thinking they will bring extra motivation to perform? Also a 6/2 bench for BOP...maybe he's expecting a forward battle.

[Stargazer]

Anyone else think the BOP and Waikato jerseys are too similar for tv? If they zoom in, it's fine, but from further away, it's hard to distinguish them.

[nzzp]

Stargazer said:

Anyone else think the BOP and Waikato jerseys are too similar for tv? If they zoom in, it's fine, but from further away, it's hard to distinguish them.

Yes! Was thinking that, despite the differnet colours

[barky1]

Urgh Mabey.

[Stargazer]

If the game continues like this, it could get ugly for BOP.

[barky1]

@stargazer has

[barky1]

Headless chooks

[nakosi]

Nice showing in front of your crowd getting early eaten by your neighbours

[Donsteppa]

At least we are thrashing them in the penalty count...

[Donsteppa]

Much better, needed to get our hands on the ball for a few minutes and to stop giving away penalties as if the Ref is a one armed bandit.

[nakosi]

i'm feeling a strong comeback win for bop
show some pride

[taniwharugby]

er, this isnt in the plan guys!!

[nakosi]

well put this game in the bag waikato,
end of the season for the bay , they're not taking this game seriously

[nakosi]

bop's game plan : give away penalties, knock the ball on and defend your line.

[barky1]

Shithouse. This garbage, compared to our week 1 effort against Taranaki? Wheels have fallen off

[Donsteppa]

A pretty green forward pack, but playing even worse...