Wellington Lions Named to Face Auckland in NPC Semi-Final

Wellington Lions Head Coach, Leo Crowley has named his 23 to face Auckland in Friday’s Bunnings Warehouse Semi-Final clash at Sky Stadium. 

With eight wins on the trot, Wellington will be looking to win their ninth match in succession - a feat not achieved since they won their first nine matches in 2013 - with just three changes to the side that beat Hawke’s Bay, 28-21, in last weekend’s Quarter-Final.  

In the front row, former Wallabies prop Pekahou Cowan returns from a calf-muscle injury to re-join forces with Wellington Rugby’s Player of the Year, loosehead prop Xavier Numia, and hooker, Asafo Aumua. With Cowan’s return, PJ Sheck drops back to the bench.  

Petone’s Josh Southall will once again look to make his Lions debut off the bench after not taking the field in last weekend's Quarter Final victory.  

In the backs, Petone’s Riley Higgins returns to the starting team in the midfield, slotting in for Peter Umaga-Jensen after he was ruled out with injury following last weekend’s clash.    

Head Coach Leo Crowley said: “We realise the enormity of this weekend's game. Wellington and Auckland have had some exciting matches over the last few years, and we look forward to their arrival on Friday night.”   

“The chance to play finals rugby has really got the team excited and they are very determined to put in a performance that their families and Wellington Rugby supporters can be proud of.” 

“Playing at home for a second consecutive week has been hard earned, and we are hoping once again that our home supporters will give us the lift required to continue in this competition,” said Crowley. 

The Wellington Lions take on Auckland in the Bunnings Warehouse NPC Semi-final, this Friday, October 14 at 7:05PM. The match will be aired live on Sky Sport. 

Wellington Lions to take on Auckland:  
1. Xavier Numia, Oriental-Rongotai   
2. Asafo Aumua, Avalon   
3. Pekahou Cowan, Petone
4. James Blackwell, Petone   
5. Dom Bird, Upper Hutt RAMS   
6. Caleb Delany, Old Boys University   
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, Northern United (C)   
8. Peter Lakai, Petone   
9. TJ Perenara, Northern United   
10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, Northern United   
11. Pepesana Patafilo, Tawa   
12. Riley Higgins, Petone  
13. Billy Proctor, Marist St Pats   
14. Julian Savea, Oriental-Rongotai   
15. Ruben Love, Wainuiomata   

IMPACT   
16. Josh Southall, Petone * 
17. PJ Sheck, Tawa   
18. Tietie Tuimauga, Marist St Pats   
19. Taine Plumtree, Old Boys University    
20. Keelan Whitman, Marist St Pats   
21. Richard Judd, Paremata-Plimmerton   
22. Aidan Morgan, Marist St Pats   
23. Connor Garden-Bachop, Northern United   

*Denotes debut 

Unavailable for Selection: Vince Sakaria, Connor Collins, Iona Apineru, Josh Toómaga, James O’Reilly, Solomona Sakalia, Peter Umaga-Jensen