Preview: Waikato v Manawatu

Editor

Waikato have made one alteration to their starting line-up for Saturday’s ITM Cup fixture against Championship side Manawatu Turbos at Waikato Stadium.

Second-row Luke Katene has now recovered from injury and takes his spot in the engine room, with Nick Ross reverting to the replacements bench.

Uncapped prop Richard Johnston has been called up from the Waikato Development squad in place of James McGougan, who has been handed a one-week suspension for a shoulder charge in last weekend’s match against Otago in Dunedin.

Scrum-half Troy Lobendahn comes onto the bench for a potential debut with Harrison Levien being released to play for the Waikato Juniors at the National U19 tournament, and utility back Dylan Collier comes into the matchday 22 in place of the injured Chauncy Edwardson.

Waikato are currently fifth in the Premiership standings with three wins from seven games.

More to follow…

The teams:

Waikato: 15 Wharenui Hawera, 14 Regan Ware, 13 Jordan Payne, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Joe Webber, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber (capt), 8 Adam Burn, 7 Zak Hohneck, 6 Whetu Douglas, 5 Jacob Skeen, 4 Luke Katene, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Hame Faiva, 1 Loni Uhila.
Replacements: 16 Harry Jones, 17 Richard Johnston, 18 Nick Ross, 19 Zane Kapeli, 20 Troy Lobendahn, 21 Dylan Collier, 22 Shayne Anderson.

Manawatu: TBC

Date: Saturday, September 27
Kick-off: 14:35 local (03:35 BST, 02:35 GMT)
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Referee: Brett Johnson