Steamers v Waikato
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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:
- Solomona Sakalia (38)
- Tom Crozier (3)
- Ross Geldenhuys (5)
- Nick Ross (1)
- Kane Le’aupepe (3)
- Zane Kapeli (2)
- Hugh Blake (23)
- Tyler Ardron (10) ©
- Richard Judd (14)++
- Jason Robertson (3)
- Matthew Garland (6)
- Terrence Hepetema (24)
- Liam Steel (9)
- Bailey Simonsson (2)
- Kaleb Trask (2)
Reserves:
- Angus MacDonald (4)
- James Lay (15)
- Jeff Thwaites (26)
- Baden Wardlaw (3)
- Mitch Karpik (11)
- AJ Lafaele-Mua (3)
- Luke Campbell (21)
- Fa’asiu Fuatai (5)
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er, this isnt in the plan guys!!
