Wellington Lions named for their 100th Ranfurly Shield clash

The Wellington Lions have named their side ahead of this Saturday’s Ranfurly Shield challenge in Hawke’s Bay – marking 100 Shield matches for the Lions.  

There is only one change to the starting line-up – Asafo Aumua returns to the starting pack at hooker, shifting last week’s starter James O’Reilly to the bench.   

“It’s good to be heading into this game with a settled squad. We are in good shape, and especially with a big game like this, consistency is key,” said head coach, Leo Crowley. 

“We’ve had a good week. We have been talking about the shield and the opportunity this week provides for us as a group. When you don’t get many challenges over a ten-year period you definitely don’t try and dull the week. We respect how good Hawke’s Bay is and how well they are playing so are fully aware of the challenge ahead of us.”  

Captain, Du’Plessis Kirifi, says his team is focussed on the job ahead. 

“We’ve talked about importance of this game, obviously playing for the Ranfurly Shield but also for continued momentum for the remainder of the season.” 

"We’ve identified and acknowledged the threats that the Magpies bring. As a group, we will be going up to Hawke's Bay with a focus on what we can control. We’re excited for the challenge,” said Kirifi.  

Over the years Wellington has held the Shield 10 times, their most recent tenure starting in September 2008 when they beat Auckland 27-0 in Auckland and ending against Canterbury in Wellington (losing 14-36) on 29 August 2009. They successfully defended the Shield five times during that period.   

The Wellington Lions team to face Hawke’s Bay is:
1 Xavier Numia, Oriental-Rongotai 
2 Asafo Aumua, Avalon 
3 Pekahou Cowan, Petone 
4 James Blackwell, Petone 
5 Dominic Bird, Upper Hutt RAMS 
6 Caleb Delany, Old Boys University
7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, Northern United 
8 Peter Lakai, Petone 
9 TJ Perenara, Northern United 
10 Aidan Morgan, Marist St Pats 
11 Pepesana Patafilo, Tawa 
12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, Wainuiomata 
13 Billy Proctor, Marist St Pats 
14 Julian Savea, Oriental-Rongotai 
15 Ruben Love, Wainuiomata 

IMPACT 
16 James O’Reilly, Hutt Old Boys Marist 
17 PJ Sheck, Tawa 
18 Solomona Sakalia, Northern United 
19 Taine Plumtree Old Boys University  
20 Keelan Whitman, Marist St Pats 
21 Richard Judd, Paremata-Plimmerton 
22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, Northern United 
23 Connor Garden-Bachop, Northern United 

Unavailable for Selection: Vince Sakaria, Connor Collins, Iona Apineru, Josh Toómaga, Siale Lauaki