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Wellington Lions named for opening round against Auckland

Wellington Lions named for opening round against Auckland

Wellington Lions Head Coach Alando Soakai has named his side for Friday’s opening round of the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse NPC season, against Auckland at Eden Park.

 

Xavier Numia returns to the Front Row, coming back from an injury he sustained in Super Rugby. Numia is joined by Siale Lauaki and Penieli Poasa. Powerhouse locks Hugo Plummer and Teofilo Paulo have also been named in the run-on side.

 

Flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi returns to captain the Wellington side for the sixth year, alongside loose forwards Brad Shields and Peter Lakai, all coming in strong after a stellar Super Rugby season.

 

Julian Savea and Peter Umaga-Jensen will form an experienced midfield; with returning International Matt Proctor looking to make an impact off the bench. Petone’s Tjay Clarke starts at fullback and will look for support from teammate Riley Higgins and Pepesana Patafilo.  

 

Halfback Kyle Preston will line up alongside first-five Jackson Garden-Bachop, fresh from an overseas stint in France.

 

With three players set to make their Lions debut, Soakai said it was a special moment for the players as well as the community.

 

“We’re really excited to have players like Harkin and McLeod who are coming in fresh from an impressive club rugby season. It’s a great moment for the boys, and for their club, to see them run out and debut together. This is what the game is all about, supporting rugby from the grass roots level all the way through to high-performance level.”

 

International Loosehead Prop, Yota Kamimori, also looks set to make his Lions debut after an impressive pre-season hit out.

 

The Lions take on Auckland in Round 1 at Eden Park on Saturday 10 August at 7:35PM.

 

Wellington Lions team to take on Auckland:

  1. Xavier Numia – Oriental-Rongotai
  2. Penieli Poasa – Oriental-Rongotai
  3. Siale Lauaki - Tawa
  4. Hugo Plummer - Tawa
  5. Teofilo Paulo – Hutt Old Boys Marist
  6. Brad Shields - Petone
  7. Du’Plessis Kirifi – C – Northern United
  8. Peter Lakai - Petone
  9. Kyle Preston – Old Boys University
  10. Jackson Garden-Bachop – Northern United
  11. Pepesana Patafilo - Tawa
  12. Julian Savea – Oriental-Rongotai
  13. Peter Umaga-Jensen - Wainuiomata
  14. Riley Higgins - Petone
  15. Tjay Clarke - Petone
  16. Leni Apisai – Paremata-Plimmerton
  17. Yota Kamimori* - Stokes Valley
  18. PJ Sheck - Tawa
  19. Akira Ieremia - Tawa
  20. Dominic Ropeti – Oriental-Rongotai
  21. Mitchel McLeod* - Old Boys University
  22. Callum Harkin*- Old Boys University
  23. Matt Proctor – Oriental-Rongotai

*Debut

Unavailable for selection:

Bradley Crichton, Caleb Delany, Losi Filipo, Harry Press, James O’Reilly

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