Lions Team Named in RD6 Storm-Week Clash with Tasman
Halfway through the Wellington Lions storm week – Head Coach, Leo Crowley has named his side to take on the Tasman Mako in Round Six of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC.
The front row sees a change – Tawa’s PJ Sheck joins Asafo Aumua and Xavier Numia locking down the scrum.
James Blackwell returns from injury to partner Dominic Bird at lock.
Keelan Whitman gets his first start of the season at Number 8. Captain Du’Plessis Kirifi returns from injury at Openside.
“Keelan has had some good performances off the bench and has worked hard in a couple of areas that we’ve identified, so we’re pleased to give him an opportunity to start at 8,” said Forwards Coach, Paul Tito.
A new midfield combination – sees Petone’s Riley Higgins link up with speedster Pepesana Patafilo.
New combinations in the backfield see Connor Garden-Bachop shifting to the left wing, Ruben Love comes in at fullback and Losi Filipo returns to the team on the right wing.
“With storm week in mind, and the depth that we have in this squad, we wanted to give players an opportunity to get out and show us what they’ve got.”
“Connor gets his first opportunity at the wing this week, and Losi has had some strong performances with the Centurions this season, so we’re excited to see what they will contribute,” said Forwards Coach, Paul Tito.
On the bench – James O’Reilly, Solomona Sakalia and Tawa’s Siale Lauaki cover the front row. Old Boys University’s Taine Plumtree and Petone’s Peter Lakai round out the forward replacements.
TJ Perenara, Julian Savea and Nehe Milner-Skudder will round out the matchday 23.
The Lions take on Tasman, Wednesday 7 September, 7:05pm at Trafalgar Park – Nelson. The match will be aired live on Sky Sport.
Next weekend the Lions will return home to take on Otago at Sky Stadium, Sunday 11 September at 2:05pm.
Wellington Lions to take on Tasman:
1 Xavier Numia, Oriental-Rongotai
2 Asafo Aumua, Avalon
3 PJ Sheck, Tawa
4 James Blackwell, Petone
5 Dominic Bird, Upper Hutt RAMS
6 Caleb Delany, 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 Pepesana Patafilo, Tawa
14 Losi Filipo, Northern United
15 Ruben Love, Wainuiomata
IMPACT
16 James O’Reilly, Hutt Old Boys Marist
17 Solomona Sakalia, Northern United
18 Siale Lauaki, Tawa
19 Taine Plumtree, Old Boys University
20 Peter Lakai, Petone
21 TJ Perenara, Northern United
22 Julian Savea, Oriental-Rongotai
23 Nehe Milner-Skudder, Eastbourne
Unavailable for Selection: Vince Sakaria, Tietie Tuimauga, Connor Collins, Iona Apineru, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Josh Toómaga, Pekahou Cowan and Billy Proctor