Lions Named for First Ranfurly Shield Defence Since 2009

Wellington Lions Head Coach Leo Crowley has named his 23 for Saturday’s Ranfurly Shield clash with Waikato, after a successful shield challenge last weekend saw the Log o’ Wood return to the capital for the first time since 2008.  

The only change sees young midfielder Riley Higgins come in to the #12 jersey for the injured Peter Umaga-Jensen, coach Crowley rewarding the players that secured a 19-12 victory in Napier a week ago. 

“After the high of the team success in Napier, we have quickly got back to the task at hand and look forward to the Waikato challenge this Saturday. Training this week has gone well with the boys determined to prove that last week was not just a one off,” said Crowley. 

The successful shield challenge last weekend came in Wellington’s 100th Ranfurly Shield match and becomes the 11th time the shield has been in Wellington.  

We also celebrate Alumni Day this Saturday, a special occasion for those who have represented Wellington in the past. Doubling this with a Shield challenge is a special way to round out the last home game of the regular season. 

“No doubt all Alumni would have enjoyed last weekend’s success, so we hope to see a few of them at Sky Stadium on Saturday,” said Crowley.  

The Lions team to defend the Ranfurly Shield v Waikato: 

1. Xavier Numia, Oriental Rongotai 
2. Asafo Aumua, Avalon 
3. Pekahou Cowan, Petone 
4. James Blackwell, Petone 
5. Dominic Bird, Upper Hutt Rams 
6. Caleb Delaney, Old Boys University 
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, Northern United © 
8. Peter Lakai, Petone 
9. TJ Perenara, Northern United
10. Aidan Morgan, Marist St Pats
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. James O’Reilly, Hutt Old Boys Marist 
17. Solomona Sakalia, Northern United 
18. PJ Sheck, Tawa 
19. Taine Plumtree, Old Boys University 
20. Keelan Whitman, Marist St Pats 
21. Richard Judd, Paremata-Plimmerton 
22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, Northern United 
23. Connor Garden-Bachop, Northern United 

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