Manawatu v North Harbour

[Stargazer]

Manawatu

1 Fraser Armstrong
2 Nick Grogan
3 Samu Tawake
4 Fraser Stone
5 Liam Mitchell
6 Nick Crosswell
7 Johnny Galloway
8 Brayden Iose
9 Jamie Booth ©
10 Otere Black
11 Adam Boult
12 Hamish Northcott
13 Rob Thompson
14 Te Rangatira Waitokia
15 Andre Taylor

16 Sam Stewart
17 Fa’alelei Sione
18 Paulo Leleisiuao
19 Sione Tu’ipulotu
20 Rhys Pedersen
21 Atutahi Henare
22 James Tofa
23 Josiah Maraku

Rob Thompson is set for his long-awaited return to the Manawatu Turbos starting lineup as the side look to go four-wins-on-the-trot against North Harbour on Sunday.

Thompson has not started since the side's second round loss to Taranaki with a calf strain and then a headknock reducing him to one appearance off the bench in the last four games.

But the Highlanders midfielder is ready for a return and is the only change to the Turbos' starting team replacing Ngani Laumape, who has been ruled out with a hamstring strain.

https://www.turbosrugby.co.nz/news/thompson-returns-to-turbos-starting-xv

[Duluth]

1 Karl Tuinukuafe, 2 Luteru Tolai, 3 Sione Mafileo, 4 Jacob Pierce, 5 Ben Nee-Nee, 6 Ethan Roots, 7 Dillon Hunt, 8 Murphy Taramai, 9 Bryn Hall, 10 Matt McGahan, 11 Mark Telea, 12 Harrison Groundwater, 13 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 14 Tomas Aoake, 15 Matt Duffie
Reserves: 16 David Meki, 17 Luatangi Li, 18 Jimmy Roots, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Tate Evans, 21 Lewis Gjaltema, 22 James Little, 23 Fine Inisi

Every week Harbour are slow at naming their team

[Duluth]

Strong start by Manawatu. Dominating possession and got the early try

[Higgins]

Looks to be a strong wind behind them at the Showgrounds so that might be playing a bit of a factor. Five nil to the 'Poo after about a dozen minutes

[Duluth]

Harbour running away with it now.

I hope the Blues sign Telea

[Duluth]