University of Waikato Chiefs Under 20 team named to challenge the Crusaders

University of Waikato Chiefs Under 20 Head Coach Paul Hodder has named his side to challenge the Crusaders Under 20 team in their second match of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Under 20 Tournament in Taupō.

Hodder has made six changes to his twenty-three following their 40-26 win over the Hurricanes on Sunday, in their opening game.

The 3.30pm clash will see Taranaki lock Hemopo Cunningham promoted to start in jersey number four combining with Taranaki lock Scott Jury, in the only change to the sides forward pack.

In the backline, Bay of Plenty’s Kane O’Connor will start at halfback after Waikato’s Ben Strang was ruled out after sustaining a concussion against the Hurricanes. Waikato’s Angus Kay will join the bench as cover. Powerful Bay of Plenty winger Tama Te Aute joins the match-day twenty-three starting on the left wing with Taranaki's Niwa Barlow covering on the bench in jersey twenty-three.

Counties Manukau’s Jadin Kingi will provide both lock and loose forward cover in jersey number nineteen to round out the changes.

University of Waikato Chiefs Under 20 Team:
1. Josh Bartlett (Bay of Plenty)
2. Bernie Hati (Bay of Plenty)
3. Havila Molia (Waikato)
4. Hemopo Cunningham (Taranaki)
5. Scott Jury (Taranaki)
6. Nikora Broughten (Bay of Plenty)
7. Veveni Lasaqa (Bay of Plenty)
8. Te Rama Reuben (Waikato)
9. Kane O’Connor (Bay of Plenty)
10. Lucas Cashmore (Bay of Plenty)
11. Tama Te Aute (Bay of Plenty)
12. Larenz Tupaea Thompsen (Counties Manukau)
13. Gideon Wrampling (Waikato) ©
14. Tevita Ofa (Counties Manukau)
15. Te Paea Cook Savage (Waikato)

Reserves:
16. Ioane Moananu (Counties Manukau)
17. Mason Tupaea (Waikato)
18. Hakaraia Richards Coxhead (Waikato)
19. Jadin Kingi (Counties Manukau)
20. Fotu Melino (Bay of Plenty)
21. Angus Kay (Waikato)
22. Josh Jacomb (Taranaki)
23. Niwa Barlow (Taranaki)

Team Management
Head Coach: Paul Hodder (Waikato)
Scrum & Defence: Greg Smith (Waikato)
Forwards & Lineout: Jarrad Hoeata (Taranaki)
Skills: Chad Shepherd (Counties Manukau)
Contact & Analysis: James Porter (Bay of Plenty)
Manager: David Fox (Waikato)
Trainers: Tim Hurst (Waikato) & Scott Joblin (Bay of Plenty)
Physiotherapists: Rachel Lambert (Bay of Plenty) & Lauren MacDonald (Bay of Plenty)

Super Rugby Aotearoa Under 20 Tournament Fixtures:
Wednesday 14 April: Crusaders v Chiefs, Kick-off: 3.30pm
Saturday 17 April: Barbarians v Chiefs, Kick-off: 1:00pm

Location: Owen Delany Park, Taupo
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport

Super Rugby Aotearoa Under 20 Tournament Results:
Sunday 11 April: Hurricanes 26 v Chiefs 40