Hautapu captain Hamilton Burr will make his debut for the Waikato Chiefs when they play Moana Pasifika in Auckland on Saturday night.
He’s one of five players from Hautapu Sports Club in the Chiefs’ line-up to face their Super Rugby Pacific opponents at Mt Smart Stadium.
The others are Ollie Norris, Bradley Slater, Laghlan McWhannell and Alex Nankivell.
Burr will make his debut in the unfamiliar role of openside flanker, having played most of his club rugby as a lock or blindside flanker.
Four more Hautapu players who are part of the Chiefs squad, Luke Jacobson, Mitch Jacobsen, Tom Florence and Simon Parker, were not considered for the March 19 fixture because of injury or COVID restrictions.
Loosehead prop Norris will pack down beside his hooker clubmate Slater, while McWhannell will lock the scrum with Brodie Retallick.
Nankivell will play at centre.
How to watch
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1, with coverage starting at 6.30pm.
