Seven Hautapu Sports players have been included in the Waikato squad for this season’s Bunnings Warehouse National Provincial Championship (NPC).
They are Pita Anae-Ah Sue, Hamilton Burr, Luke Jacobson, Mitch Jacobson, Ayden Johnstone, Laghlan McWhannell and Ollie Norris.
Experienced forward Johnstone has also been named co-captain for the team, sharing the leadership with half back Xavier Roe.
Hamilton Burr (49 games) and Johnstone (48) are close to achieving their 50-game milestones for the province.
2024 Waikato Bunnings Warehouse National Provincial Championship Squad
Pita Anae-Ah Sue (19) Hautapu Sports
Austin Anderson (8) Te Awamutu Sports
Hamilton Burr (49) Hautapu Sports
Tepaea Cook-Savage (24) Fraser Tech
Liam Coombes-Fabling (38) Fraser Tech
Aaron Cruden (4) Morrinsville Sports
George Dyer (32) Fraser Tech
Samipeni Finau (31) Hamilton Old Boys
Luke Jacobson (28) Hautapu Sports
Mitch Jacobson (75) Hautapu Sports
Ayden Johnstone (48) Hautapu Sports – Co-Captain
Taha Kemara (13) Te Awamutu Sports
D’Angelo Leuila (21) Fraser Tech
Anton Lienert-Brown (22) University
Patrick McCurran (13) Fraser Tech
Josh Moorby (*) Te Awamutu Sports
Damian McKenzie (37) University
Laghlan McWhannell (34) Hautapu Sports
Ollie Norris (51) Hautapu Sports
Sean Ralph (10) Te Awamutu Sports
Cortez Ratima (38) Otorohanga
Gabe Robinson (0) Hamilton Marist
Xavier Roe (36) Hamilton Old Boys – Co-Captain
Xavier Saifoloi (6) University
Daniel Sinkinson (22) Suburbs
Bailyn Sullivan (60) Hamilton Marist
Samisoni Taukei’aho (44) Fraser Tech
James Tucker (69) Hamilton Marist
Solomone Tukuafu (14) Hamilton Old Boys
Mason Tupaea (2) Hamilton Marist
Quinn Tupaea (38) Hamilton Old Boys
Gideon Wrampling (25) Hamilton Old Boys
Malachi Warampling (9) Hamilton Old Boys
() = caps for Waikato
* = Debut
Opening fixture
Game to be played on Saturday August 10, 2024
Waikato v Bay of Plenty Steamers
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 4.35pm