Lions Named for Final Round-Robin Clash against Counties Manukau

Wellington Lions Head Coach Leo Crowley has named his 23 for the Lions final round-robin match of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC competition when they take on Counties Manukau this Sunday, 2:05pm at Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe.  

Changes in the forward pack sees James O’Reilly start at hooker alongside Xavier Numia and PJ Sheck. Asafo Aumua, Solomona Sakalia and Tietie Tuimauga will provide impact from the bench. 

In the loose forwards, Taine Plumtree comes in to start at blindside and Keelan Whitman in at 8 alongside incumbent skipper, Du’Plessis Kirifi. Caleb Delany and Peter Lakai will provide cover.  

Kirifi will play his 50th match for the Lions since debuting against Manawatū at Palmerston North in 2017. Kirifi first captained the Lions in his 16th match in 2019 against Tasman, with this weekend’s match against Counties marking the 33rd occasion that he will lead the side. 

“We're thrilled to be able to celebrate Du’Plessis’s 50th during our final game of the regular season, and during what has been a really strong season. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge all that he has achieved as a part of our group, and as our captain,” said Crowley. 

The backs see some changes with Richard Judd starting at halfback, and TJ Perenara looking to bring energy from the bench. Jackson Garden-Bachop come into the starting team at first five-eighth with last week’s starter Aidan Morgan looking to provide cover. 

Connor Garden-Bachop and Nehe Milner-Skudder make a return to starting team on the wings with Julian Savea providing backup off the bench.  

Wellington has won their last four matches in a row against Counties Manukau including the last three in Pukekohe. The Lions will be competing for the Jonah Tali Lomu Memorial Trophy. 

The Wellington Lions will take to the field wearing white socks, while Counties will be in pink socks. The ‘pink sock’ initiative is in support of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ (BCFNZ), which sees teams raise awareness in the lead up to and at matches across the weekend. 

Head Coach Leo Crowley said: “We’re happy to take part in this initiative and to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer through the Bunnings Warehouse NPC. Nine New Zealanders are diagnosed with breast cancer every day, and we know that early detection is the best way to beat it, so it’s an important message to promote.”  

Wellington Lions to take on Counties: 
1. Xavier Numia, Oriental-Rongotai 
2. James O’Reilly, Hutt Old Boys Marist 
3. PJ Sheck, Tawa 
4. James Blackwell, Petone 
5. Dominic Bird, Upper Hutt RAMS 
6. Taine Plumtree, Old Boys University 
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, Northern United 
8. Keelan Whitman, Marist St Pats 
9. Richard Judd, Paremata-Plimmerton 
10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, Northern United
11. Connor Garden-Bachop, Northern United 
12. Riley Higgins, Petone 
13. Billy Proctor, Marist St Pats 
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder, Eastbourne 
15. Ruben Love, Wainuiomata 

IMPACT 
16. Asafo Aumua, Avalon 
17. Solomona Sakalia, Northern United 
18. Tietie Tuimauga, Marist St Pats 
19. Caleb Delany, Old Boys University  
20. Peter Lakai, Petone 
21. TJ Perenara, Northern United 
22. Aidan Morgan, Marist St Pats 
23. Julian Savea, Oriental-Rongotai   

Unavailable for Selection: Vince Sakaria, Connor Collins, Iona Apineru, Josh Toómaga, Siale Lauaki, Peter Umaga-Jensen