Mills Albert Wellington Lions Name Side for Quarter Final in the Capital
It’s crunch time in the Capital this Friday, as the Wellington Lions get set to host Counties-Manukau for their Bunnings Warehouse NPC quarter final.
With four All Blacks being released to play; Wellington Lions Head Coach Alando Soakai has had to make some key changes to the side that took out Hawkes Bay last weekend.
Asafo Aumua makes his season debut in the front row, lining up alongside regulars Xavier Numia and Siale Lauaki.
Loose forward, Du’Plessis Kirifi, makes his long-awaited return to the lineup, coming back to Captain the side after being ruled out with injury early in the season. Last week’s skipper, Peter Lakai, runs out as vice-Captain. Fellow vice-Captain, Peter Umaga-Jensen looks set to make impact off the bench.
TJ Perenara runs out at halfback this week, with Kyle Preston providing impact off the bench. Billy Proctor and Riley Higgins forming a formidable midfield, and Losi Filipo and Julian Savea run out on the wing.
Wellington Lions squad to take on Counties-Manukau:
- Xavier Numia – Oriental-Rongotai
- Asafo Aumua - Avalon
- Siale Lauaki – Tawa
- Hugo Plummer - Tawa
- Akira Ieremia - Tawa
- Caleb Delany – Old Boys University
- Du’Plessis Kirifi – C – Northern United
- Peter Lakai – Petone
- TJ Perenara - Northern United
- Jackson Garden-Bachop – Northern United
- Losi Filipo - Petone
- Riley Higgins - Petone
- Billy Proctor – Marist St. Pats
- Julian Savea – Oriental-Rongotai
- Tjay Clarke - Petone
- Penieli Poasa – Oriental Rongotai
- Yota Kamimori – Stokes Valley
- Brad Chrichton – Northern United
- Filo Paulo – Hutt Old Boys Marist
- Sione Halalilo- Tawa
- Kyle Preston – Old Boys University
- Ruben Love - Wainuiomata
- Peter Umaga-Jensen – VC – Wainuiomata
Unavailable: Dominic Ropeti, PJ Sheck, Matt Proctor, Harry Press, Kazuki Kato, James O’Reilly, Pepesana Patafilo, Brad Shields