Waikato

1 Ollie Norris, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3 Josh Iosefa Scott, 4 James Thompson, 5 Samipeni Finau, 6 Hamilton Burr, 7 Luke Jacobson, 8 Liam Messam, 9 Xavier Roe, 10 Beaudein Waaka, 11 Valynce Te Whare, 12 Louis Rogers, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 14 Gideon Wrampling, 15 Bailyn Sullivan

Reserves: Sekope Lopeti Moli, 17 Rob Cobb, 18 Sefo Kautai,19 Adam Thomson, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Matty Lansdown, 23 Liam Coombes-Fabling

It would be good if the WRU listed who was unavailable due to injury in these team releases. I can only assume that Fletcher Smith is injured or he would have been straight back this week to replace an injured Rivez Reihana. The young guys on the wings and Sullivan at fullback. He's become a utility player this season.

A win here and Waikato could get a home SF. It won't be easy though.

Waaka at 10 and Sullivan at 15

@Yeetyaah Waaka did OK last game. The only other options at 1st 5 would be Lansdown and Coombes-Fabling, who are both on the bench. Neither have been the goal kicker this season.

@Bovidae I'd chuck LCF in there tbh, I'm a fan of him and he'd probably go alright at 10.

Coombes-Fabling was a 1st 5 at school (St John's) and for the Waikato U19s. I don't think he has been playing there in club rugby though, and as I said, a reliable goal kicker is needed. I thought they may have moved him to fullback.

@Bovidae said in Northland v Waikato:

It would be good if the WRU listed who was unavailable due to injury in these team releases. I can only assume that Fletcher Smith is injured or he would have been straight back this week to replace an injured Rivez Reihana. The young guys on the wings and Sullivan at fullback. He's become a utility player this season.

A win here and Waikato could get a home SF. It won't be easy though.

Was that you on the Waikato facebook page saying they are the worst at social media on their team naming post? I liked your comment as I knew it would be a ferner

@Hooroo No, that's @Yeetyaah I think. I don't do facebook but occasionally read the mooloo page.

@Hooroo haha yeah that was me

I've heard that Hone Harawira has set up a road block at Ohaeawai and are not letting any Tainui folk through to Kaikohe, so looks like Waikato will be forced to forfeit the game.

Unlucky.

1 Luatangi Li, 2 Jordan Olsen (C), 3 Coree Te Whata-Colley, 4 Josh Goodhue 5 Sam Caird, 6 Tom Robinson, 7 Kara Pryor, 8 Sam McNamara, 9 Sam Nock, 10 Dan Hawkins, 11 Jone Macilai, 12 Tamati Tua, 13 Rene Ranger, 14 Jordan Hyland, 15 Mathew Wright

Reserves: Ross Wright, Tyler Kearns, Kalolo Tuiloma, Kane Jacobson, Matt Matich, Will Grant, Wiseguy Faiane, Scott Gregory

@Duluth so Wright is reserve hooker?

Atkins , Tou and Hohaia all injured or determined not upto it?

Hawkins back Cooper dropped completely?

In positive news, Hyland is back, just need to use him for a change!

@taniwharugby they signalled that last week. So disappointing.

@kev which bit?

According to FB only 3 players injured, none of whom are hookers or Cooper.

@taniwharugby Cooper

@kev so yanked after 20 mins and dropped completely.

Did he not follow the game planor what? Was odd to be yanked and then dropped given he wasn't stinking the place up.

Strange decisions from the coaches continue.

@taniwharugby said in Northland v Waikato:

so yanked after 20 mins and dropped completely.

I watched a replay after you guys were discussing his subbing. It was ~35mins

It seems the last straw was the terrible kick to touch from a penalty. That plus the charge downs I guess?

@taniwharugby others get a free pass. And we get to the end of another season with no player development. Useless.

@Duluth not any worse than Wiseguy with a couple of poor ones plus that poor decision to kick inside the 22 with men outside

Just strange IMO

@taniwharugby

Oh I agree.

Hawkins is getting judged by different standards