Mills Albert Wellington Lions Name Side for Home Semi
It’s shaping up to be an epic match of sudden-death footy, as Wellington look to earn their fourth consecutive win against the Waikato side.
Head Coach Alando Soakai’s side sees some big rotation this week, as injuries and All Black selection rules out regular starters.
Leni Apisai returns to the front row, lining up alongside Xavier Numia and Siale Lauaki. Hugo Plummer and Akira Ieremia form a familiar locking duo, after a stellar hit out in the quarter final.
Wellington stalwart Brad Shields returns from injury to the starting XV, with skipper Du’Plessis Kirifi and Caleb Delany completing the loose forward trio.
After a stunning corner try last week, Kyle Preston comes back into the starting lineup at half-back, with Old Boys University teammate Callum Harkin starting at first-five. Losi Filipo pairs up, once again, with Julian Savea on the wing and Matt Proctor replaces brother Billy in the midfield.
The impact group sees a few new additions from last week, with up-and-comers Tom Maiava and Stanley Solomon back in the fold.
Wellington Lions side to take on Waikato:
- Xavier Numia – Oriental-Rongotai
- Leni Apisai – Paremata-Plimmerton
- Siale Lauaki – Tawa
- Hugo Plummer - Tawa
- Akira Ieremia - Tawa
- Caleb Delany – Old Boys University
- Du’Plessis Kirifi – C – Northern United
- Brad Shields – Petone
- Kyle Preston – Old Boys University
- Callum Harkin – Old Boys University
- Losi Filipo - Petone
- Riley Higgins - Petone
- Matt Proctor – Oriental-Rongotai
- Julian Savea – Oriental-Rongotai
- Tjay Clarke - Petone
- Penieli Poasa – Oriental Rongotai
- Yota Kamimori – Stokes Valley
- Brad Chrichton – Northern United
- Filo Paulo – Hutt Old Boys Marist
- Sione Halalilo- Tawa
- Nui Muriwai - Waikato
- Tom Maiava – Oriental-Rongotai
- Stanley Solomon – Petone
Unavailable for selection:
Jackson Garden-Bachop, James O’Reilly, Pepesana Patafilo, Harry Press, PJ Sheck, Peter Umaga-Jensen