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Wellington Side Named to Take on Taranaki in Final Pre-Season Clash

After two successful Ranfurly Shield defences, a Wellington ‘XV’ will travel to Manaia to take on Taranaki on Saturday, in a final pre-season hitout.

 

Head Coach Tamati Ellison has named an extended side to travel up for this match, which also celebrates 100 years for Taranaki's major sponsor, Yarrows.

 

In the front row, Melbourne Rebels prop Cameron Orr gets his first taste of rugby over this side of the ditch, and is joined by the Tawa duo of PJ Sheck, and Joyner Gaualofa at hooker. Caleb Delany and Hugo Plummer line up together in the locking department. Brad Shields also makes a long-awaited return in the #6 jersey, with Sione Halalilo on the openside and Keelan Whitman at 8.

 

Kemara Hauiti-Parapara returns from injury and will start at halfback alongside first five Aidan Morgan. Peter Umaga-Jensen again captains the side from second five and forms a midfield combination with Petone’s Losi Filipo. Pepesana Patafilo and Ethan Webster-Nonu line up on the wing, Ruben Love will wear the #15 jersey.

 

An extended bench of 12 players for this match. Josh Southall, Senio Sanele and Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe provide cover in the front row. Akira Ieremia, Filo Paulo and Dominic Ropeti cover the second row.

 

Two halfbacks named on the bench, Sam Howling and Kyle Preston. Isi Saumaki, Tjay Clarke, Chicago Doyle and Sam Clarke round out the team sheet.

 

The match kicks off at 2:00pm on Saturday, and will be live on the Taranaki Rugby YouTube and Facebook.

 

 

Wellington XV:

  1. Cameron Orr – Western Suburbs
  2. Joyner Gaualofa – Tawa
  3. PJ Sheck – Tawa
  4. Caleb Delany – Old Boys University
  5. Hugo Plummer – Tawa
  6. Brad Shields – Petone
  7. Sione Halalilo – Oriental-Rongotai
  8. Keelan Whitman – Marist St Pats
  9. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara – Tawa
  10. Aidan Morgan – Marist St Pats
  11. Pepesana Patafilo – Tawa
  12. Peter Umaga-Jensen – Wainuiomata ©
  13. Losi Filipo – Petone
  14. Ethan Webster-Nonu – Paremata-Plimmerton
  15. Ruben Love – Wainuiomata
  16. Josh Southall – Petone
  17. Senio Sanele – Upper Hutt Rams
  18. Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe – Northern United
  19. Akira Ieremia – Tawa
  20. Filo Paulo – Hutt Old Boys Marist
  21. Dominic Ropeti – Oriental-Rongotai
  22. Sam Howling – Pōneke
  23. Kyle Preston – Old Boys University
  24. Isi Saumaki – Tawa
  25. Tjay Clarke – Petone
  26. Chicago Doyle – Marist St Pats
  27. Sam Clarke – Paremata-Plimmerton
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