Lions Back in Action as NPC Returns
After a month without rugby, the Bunnings NPC returns this weekend.
The Lions are headed to Inglewood where they will take on Taranaki on Saturday afternoon. Leo Crowley’s matchday 23 looks a little different to the side that ran out for their last game on August 15.
Prop Xavier Numia returns from the injury he suffered in round 1, while Tyrone Thompson gets his first start of the season at hooker.
In the second row, James Blackwell will captain the side alongside Caleb Delaney who is also promoted to the starting XV, while the loose forward trio of Taine Plumtree, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Keelan Whitman look to continue their form.
Richard Judd again claims the #9 jersey, while Aidan Morgan will play his first match of the season from first five.
A new midfield combination sees Brandyn Laursen getting his first game as a starter partner with the impressive Vince Aso. Pepesana Patafilo and Wes Goosen will be a threat with speed on each wing and Ruben Love makes the shift to fullback, a position he spent time in while playing for the New Zealand U20 side earlier this year.
On the bench, 35-year-old veteran Pekahou Cowan will make his Wellington debut, while there is plenty of experience in the likes of Peter Umaga-Jensen.
The last time the two sides met was in 2018, where Wellington were victorious. Kick off on Saturday is at 2:05pm on Sky Sport.
The matchday 23 is: (* denotes debut)
- Xavier Numia
- Tyrone Thompson
- Alex Fidow
- James Blackwell ©
- Caleb Delaney
- Taine Plumtree
- Du’Plessis Kirifi
- Keelan Whitman
- Richard Judd
- Aidan Morgan
- Pepesana Patafilo
- Brandyn Laursen
- Vince Aso
- Wes Goosen
- Ruben Love
- Bruce Kauika-Petersen
- Vince Sakaria
- Pekahou Cowan*
- Josh To'omaga*
- Sam Smith
- Connor Collins
- Peter Umaga-Jensen
- Tomasi Alosio