2019 Waikato Squad Announced
Waikato has announced its 43-man Mitre 10 Cup squad for the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup season.
This year’s squad features seventeen new faces; these players will have the chance to play their first cap for the province. Earlier this year Solomon Alaimalo, Taleni Seu and Api Naikatini were announced as new signing to the team. They are joined by first year Waikato players including New Zealand Under 20’s representatives Samipeni Finau, Ollie Norris, Simon Parker and Rivez Reihana, Waikato club rugby players Hamilton Burr (Hautapu), Sam Cooper (Hamilton Old Boys), Brandon Mudzekenyedzi (Hautapu), Carlos Price (Hamilton Marist), Louis Rogers (University), Antonio Shalfoon (Te Awamutu Sports), Valynce Te Whare-Crosby (Fraser Tech), James Thompson (Hautapu), Newton Tudreu (Hamilton Marist) and Manawa Veitayaki (Otorohanga).
The bulk of the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup Championship winning squad return to play for the province. 26 out of the 43 players named were a part of the team that helped Waikato return to the Premiership. Waikato head coach Andrew Strawbridge said “We are pleased that we were able to retain bulk of the squad that helped us gain promotion back into the Premiership. We know the new players that have been selected and the current group in the squad are hardworking men and are always looking to grow their game.
This has been the main driver for us during the offseason looking for the hard workers that will make the province proud and continuing on from the successes of last season.”
Among the 43-man squad there are sixteen Super Rugby players and four current All Blacks representatives. All Blacks Anton Lienert-Brown, Luke Jacobson and Sevu Reece may have very little game time due to International commitments. Damian McKenzie will miss the entire 2019 season as he recovers from a leg injury he sustained in the 2019 Super Rugby season.
Waikato's 2019 Mitre 10 Cup campaign begins this Saturday against Canterbury at FMG Stadium, kickoff 7.35pm.
2019 Waikato Mitre 10 Cup Squad
Forwards
Tim Bond (11) Morrinsville Sports
Jahrome Brown (2) Melville
Hamilton Burr (*) Hautapu
Sam Cooper (*) Hamilton Old Boys
Samipeni Finau (*) Hamilton Old Boys
Haereiti Hetet (5) Otorohanga
Josh Iosefa-Scott 20) Melville
Murray Iti (23) Otorohanga
Luke Jacobson (10) Hautapu
Mitch Jacobson (37) Hautapu
Ayden Johnstone (21) Hautapu
Sosefo Kautai (21) Hamilton Marist
Sekope Lopeti-Moli (9) Hautapu
Laghlan McWhannell (13) Hautapu
Api Naikatini (*)
Ollie Norris (*) Hautapu
Simon Parker (*) Hautapu
Taleni Seu (*) Melville
Antonio Shalfoon (*) Te Awamutu Sports
Toby Smith (57) Hamilton Old Boys
Samisoni Taukeiaho (23) Fraser Tech
James Thompson (*) Hautapu
James Tucker (34) Hamilton Marist
Manawa Veitayaki (*) Otorohanga
Backs
Solomon Alaimalo (*) Hamilton Marist
Tyler Campbell (25) University
Matty Lansdown (22) Fraser Tech
Anton Lienert-Brown (19) University
Damian McKenzie (24) University
Brandon Mudzekenyedzi (*) Hautapu
Declan O’Donnell (34) Melville
Carlos Price (*) Hamilton Marist
Sevu Reece (33) Hamilton Old Boys
Rivez Reihana (*) Melville
Louis Rogers (*) University
Fletcher Smith (12)
Jack Stratton (11) Hautapu
Bailyn Sullivan (7) Hamilton Marist
Dwayne Sweeney (93) Morrinsville Sports
Raniera Takarangi (8) Hamilton Old Boys
Valynce Te Whare-Crosby (*) Fraser Tech
Newton Tudreu (*) Hamilton Marist
Quinn Tupaea (12) Hamilton Old Boys
() = caps for Waikato
* = uncapped
