Counties Manukau set to challenge Waikato for the Chiefs Country Cup

Putaruru Rugby Club will host the Chiefs Country Cup clash between Waikato and Counties Manukau Heat on Saturday afternoon.

Waikato Women reclaimed the Chiefs Country Cup back off Bay of Plenty Volcanix with a thrilling 21-10 victory in Rotorua in week three of the Farah Palmer Cup.

Counties Manukau Heat are sitting third equal with the Bay of Plenty Volcanix on the table with Waikato just a head in second place. Both teams were first to challenge for the Cup in 2018 when Waikato claimed victory winning 33-27 in a gripping encounter.

The University of Waikato: Waikato Women will take on Counties Manukau Heat at Putaruru Rugby Club kicking off at 2.05pm on Saturday afternoon.

Waikato Women:
1. Toka Natua (University)
2. Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Melville)
3. Tanya Kalounivale (Hamilton Old Boys)
4. Leomie Kloppers (Hamilton Old Boys)
5. Mia Anderson (Melville)
6. Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland (Melville)
7. Emma-Lee Heta (Kihikihi)
8. Kennedy Simon (Hamilton Old Boys)
9. Ariana Bayler (Hamilton Old Boys)
10. Tenika Willison
11. Stacey Fluhler (Melville)
12. Chelsea Alley (University) - Captain
13. Carla Hohepa (Kihikihi)
14. Cheyelle Robins-Reti
15. Renee Holmes (Hamilton Old Boys)

Reserves:
16. Merania Paraone (Kihikihi)
17. Stephanie Lualua (Hamitlon Old Boys)
18. Esther Tilo-Faiaoga (Melville)
19. Daeja-Bernice Kaponga (Putaruru)
20. Sina Hetet (Otorohanga)
21. Kiriana Nolan (Melville)
22. Makaia Riki-Te Kanawa (Hamilton Old Boys)

Counties Manukau Heat:
1. Katofoekina Veainu
2. Grace Gago
3. Kalo Cuthers
4. Amiria Te Iringa
5. Rebecca Burch
6. Glory Aiono
7. Larissa Lima E Silva
8. Harono Te Iringa
9. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu
10. Hazel Tubic
11. Lanulangi Veainu
12. Ngatokutoru Arakua
13. Mele Hufanga
14. Ruby Tui
15. Shonte To'a

Reserves:
16. Juvina Auva'a
17. Shaye Adams
18. Temira Mataroa
19. Stacey Brown
20. Leititia Vaka
21. Utumalama Atonio
22. Yuki Ono