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Minimal Changes for Lions Trip to Hamilton

The Wellington Lions have rewarded performance from last weekend’s big win over Northland, with only one forced changes for this weekend’s run-on side to tackle Waikato in Hamilton. 

Prop Vince Sakaria gets a start as loosehead prop to replace the injured Xavier Numia.

To fill a spot on the bench, Tyrone Thompson recovers from injury to take his place as reserve hooker while prop Hoani Tui may play his first game for the Lions since 2008, being called in to cover the tighthead side of the scrum

Former All Black Dominic Bird impressed in week one and will again partner James Blackwell while an unchanged loose forward trio will see blindside flanker Taine Plumtree looking to continue where he left off with a hat trick against Northland.

In the backline, Richard Judd will again link with promising first five Ruben Love, while the rest of the backline have all had game time at Super Rugby level this year. 

The Lions take on Waikato at FMG Stadium, kicking off at 2:05pm on Sunday. They will be looking for back-to-back wins to open the season for the first time since 2017. 

The Matchday 23 is: 

  1. Vince Sakaria 
  2. Asafo Aumua
  3. Alex Fidow
  4. James Blackwell
  5. Dominic Bird
  6. Taine Plumtree
  7. Du’Plessis Kirifi © 
  8. Keelan Whitman
  9. Richard Judd
  10. Ruben Love
  11. Pepesana Patafilo
  12. Peter Umaga-Jensen
  13. Vince Aso
  14. Julian Savea
  15. Wes Goosen
  16. Tyrone Thompson
  17. PJ Sheck
  18. Hoani Tui
  19. Caleb Delaney
  20. Sam Smith
  21. Connor Collins
  22. Brandyn Laursen
  23. Tomasi Alosio

For more information please contact: 

Rebecca Ambler 
Communications Manager & Media Relations 
+64 22 413 4237 
[email protected] 

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