Lions and Pride Make the Trip To Hamilton

The Wellington Lions and Pride teams will once again feature in a double header this weekend, with both teams heading to Hamilton to take on Waikato this Sunday.

The Lions are coming off a resounding 54-7 victory over Northland to begin their campaign and will be looking to avenge last year’s first round loss to the Mooloo’s. With only two changes to the starting XV forced by injury and availability, Leo Crowley’s men are heading in high on confidence. 

The match will be the first of the Premiership encounters for the Lions this season, and will be an early season test of form to see the level they are at. 

In addition to the initial two changes, Vince Aso has since been ruled out, meaning Julian Savea will move in one spot to fill the number 13 jersey. Tomasi Alosio is elevated from the bench to the right wing and 20-year-old Roderick Solo comes on to the bench for a potential debut.

Waikato are also coming into the fixture off the back of an opening round victory over North Harbour.

Kick-off is 2:05pm. 

Before the men take the field, once again the women will play in the early game, taking on second placed Waikato at 12:05pm. 

The Pride are looking to continue where they left off in last week’s pulsating last minute victory over Counties Manukau. 

A win could lift the Pride as high as second place on the competition ladder dependent on other results, however Waikato are on the back of two consecutive victories over Bay of Plenty and Otago respectively. 

The last time the two sides met was in 2019, where the Pride ran away with a 59-31 victory at Sky Stadium. 

Both matches will be LIVE on Sky Sport.