Whata-Simpkins to start semifinal

Fit again New Zealand sevens player Katarina Whata-Simpkins has given the Wellington Pride's backline a much needed boost ahead of their Farah Palmer Cup semifinal against Counties-Manukau.

Whata-Simpkins will start at fullback at ECOLight Stadium in Pukekohe on Saturday in a rematch last year's Farah Palmer Cup semifinal which was won by Wellington.

After returning via the reserves bench for the Pride's final regular season match against Bay of Plenty last weekend, Whata-Simpkins adds some timely attacking spark in the absence of schoolgirl star wing Ayesha Leti-liga and block busting second-five Mary-Ann Collins.

Leti-liga, who scorched in for a hattrick of tries against Bay of Plenty, is overseas on a school trip with Porirua College, while Collins has been ruled out with concussion.

That's forced Pride coach James Porter into a backline reshuffle that sees regular fullback Georgina Daals shift to centre and Berndatte Roberston shuffle in a spot to second-five outside first five Amanda Rasch, who made a timely return from injury against Bay of Plenty.

"We've lost a couple, but we're still in really good shape," Porter said. "Amanda got in a good 50 minutes last week and was firing at training last night, so that's exciting and Kat [Whata-Simpkins] had her first game of the season against Bay of Plenty and she adds plenty of pace at the back."

While the selection spotlight falls on the backs, Porter is under no illusions where the match will be won and lost against an unbeaten Counties-Manukau side who conceded just 33 points to top the regular season points table.

"They are brutal at the ruck, the try to dominate you there, so we know we need to find a way to slow down their ruck ball."

Wellington have lost hooker Alice Soper, who cut her leg badly during training this week, meaning Alicia Print comes back into the starting side and Poneke's Patricia Kalolo-Apolinario into the reserves.

But Porter is convinced his pack are better prepared for the physical exchanges then when they lost 37-5 to Counties-Manukau during their regular season match in Pukekohe on September 9.

"We probably weren't fully prepared for what they brought last time physically. They like to bash it up the middle, dominate you at the contact area. We've worked really hard on that area of our game."

Wellington and Counties-Manukau have met in the semifinals five times previously with the Pride holding a 3-2 advantage.

The two teams played each other in last year's semifinal at the Petone Recreation Ground in Wellington where the Pride came away with a 29-23 win.

The Wellington Pride team to play Counties-Manukau in the Farah Palmer Cup semifinal in Pukekohe on Saturday, September 24.

15 Katarina Whata-Simpkins (Avalon)

14 Monica Tagoai (HOBM)

13 Georgia Daals (OBU)

12 Bernadette Robertson (Ories)

11 Vaine Marsters (Norths)

10 Amanda Rasch (Ories)

9 Acacia Te Iwimate (Wainui)

8 Jackie Patea (Wainui) (c)

7 Caroline Sio (Avalon)

6 Sauimoana Solia (OBU)

5 Joanah Ngan-Woo (Ories)

4 Sanita Levave (Norths)

3 Brooke Tauaneai (Wainui)

2 Alicia Print (Ories)

1 Raylene Lolo (Ories)

Reserves:

16 Patricia Kalolo-Apolinario (Poneke)

17 Janet Taumoli (Ories)

18 Muteremoana Aiatu (Norths)

19 Hope Hakopa (OBU)

20 Elizabeth Goulden (Ories)

21 Gina Williamson (OBU)

22 Anna Engels (Poneke)

Farah Palmer Cup semi-final draw:

Counties Manukau Heat (1) v Wellington Pride (4)
Saturday 24th September
ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe
Kick-off: Midday

Auckland Storm (2) v Canterbury (3)
Saturday 24th September
Auckland University Rugby Football Club, Colin Maiden Park
Kick-off: 12.05pm (Televised live on Sky Sport)