Back at nine: Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Waikato head coach Chris Gibbes has made eight changes for Wednesday's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium.
Up front, prop Toby Smith and hooker Marcel Cummings-Toone make a return from injury, as does Romana Graham in the second-row.
Loose forward Matt Vant Leven is also back.
There is a change to the halves combination with Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Sam Christie into the line-up at scrum-half and fly-half respectively.
Tim Mikkelson returns to the wing and Trent Renata is back in the number 15 jersey.
Gibbes said his team is preparing well for the shield challenge.
"We showed a lot of character in our win over Tasman and we will take confidence from that performance into this game," he said.
Waikato will be hoping to write another chapter in their proud Ranfurly Shield history.
"Ranfurly Shield games are easy to get motivated for and the players are all excited about the opportunity," Gibbes said.
"This is Waikato's first crack at the shield since 2007 so we are itching to get down to New Plymouth and get stuck in."
Meanwhile, Jarrad Hoeata returns to the Taranaki pack, with loose forwards Kane Barrett and Blade Thomson bracketed.
With the short turnaround from Saturday's 59-18 win over Manawatu, Taranaki coach Colin Cooper has opted for a five-two split on the reserves bench.
"We're expecting a torrid time up front. There's a lot on the game for both teams. They're desperate for the win and we need the win to hold on to the Shield," Cooper revealed.
"We're not even looking ahead. The Shield is the number one priority."
The teams:
Taranaki: 15 Kurt Baker, 14 Andre Taylor, 13 Willie Rickards, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Frazier Climo, 10 James Marshall, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Blade Thomson/Kane Barrett, 7 Chris Walker, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Craig Clarke (capt), 3 Michael Bent, 2 Laurence Corlett, 1 Chris King.
Replacements: 16 Timo Tutavaha, 17 Carl Carmichael, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Kane Barrett/Blade Thomson, 20 Bernie Hall, 21 Brett Goodin, 22 Jack Cameron.
Waikato: 15 Trent Renata,14 Declan O'Donnell, 13 Save Tokula, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Tim Mikkelson, 10 Sam Christie, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Alex Bradley (c), 7 Zak Hohneck, 6 Matt Vant Leven, 5 Sam Kilgour, 4 Romana Graham, 3 Ben May, 2 Marcel Cummings-Toone, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 Vance Elliott, 17 Latu Talakai, 18 Anthony Wise, 19 Rory Grice, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Piers Francis, 22 Joe Webber.
Date: Wednesday, October 3
Kick-off: 19:35 local (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Venue: Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
Comments
passtheball says...
What a turn up. Naki completely outplayed and 5 points for the ITM. Its all about attitude.
Posted 10:42 03rd October 2012
Ramage says...
Will be hoping for another Naki win and see them lock away the shield for another win. Go for it guys and also get those extra points to get you into the play offs at home.
Posted 04:49 03rd October 2012
passtheball says...
Its a while since you would give Mooloo just a starters chance. Even the bench looks better. The Naki have always been tough but now they look invincible with the shield.
Still upsets do happen and Waikato are in danger of the drop but having lost 10 players from last year, most of whom game breakers, it looks a lost cause.
Posted 14:35 02nd October 2012
Ferdie says...
a classic clash - Ferdinand the Bull v the Mooloo Cows from 'up north'
Real historic rivalry here, Mooloos with their bloody cowbells v the big Ferdie roar. As long as it's not a 1996 repeat when Waikato took the Shield home with them winning 40-19
Apart from the main item - the Ranfurly Shield - also will impact on ITM semi-finals and Taranaki need a win to aim for a home semi.
After this match on the weekend Taranaki face Southland (away), this is final RS defence of 2012
Posted 02:24 02nd October 2012
Ferdie says...
Taranaki: Kurt Baker, Andre Taylor, Willie Rickards, Jayden Hayward, Frazier Climo, James Marshall, Jamison Gibson-Park, Kane Barrett or Blade Thomson, Chris Walker, Jarrad Hoeata, Jason Eaton, Craig Clarke (captain), Michael Bent, Laurence Corlett, Chris King. Reserves, Timo Tutavaha, Carl Carmichael, James Broadhurst, Barrett or Thomson, Berny Hall, Brett Goodin, Jack Cameron.
Unavailable for selection due to injury or illness were: Scott Waldrom, Chris Smylie, Waisake Naholo, Jackson Ormond, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis and Shane Cleaver.
Posted 02:16 02nd October 2012