Former All Blacks utility Leicester Fainga’anuku is one of two key changes for the Tasman Mako team for the final regular season NPC match in Hamilton on Saturday.
The 12-test player will slot in on the openside flank, completing the loose forward trio of recalled All Black Shannon Frizell and captain Johnny Lee.
Last year’s captain David Havili returns to the midfield, with Cooper Roberts reverting to the bench and Timoci Tavatavanwai moving to centre.
Marist hooker Dylan Irvine returns to the bench, replacing Richie Asiata.
Another feature is wing Macca Springer making his 50th appearance for the Mako after debuting in 2021.
The 23-year-old has scored 27 provincial tries, while the even more prolific Kyren Taumoefolau will be chasing an NPC record on the other wing.
He has 14 tries so far this season, just one behind joint recordholders Terry Wright and Brendan Laney who amassed 15 in an NPC season.
The side is in eighth place going into the round 10 match, one spot below Waikato, which beat the Mako in Blenheim last season.
Should the team lose and not manage a bonus point, it will ensure an anxious wait to hope Bay of Plenty doesn’t win big against North Harbour in Tauranga on Sunday afternoon and move ahead on the ladder.
The Tasman team is: 1-Monu Moli, 2-Eli Oudenryn, 3-Ryan Coxon, 4-Lopeti Faifua, 5-Antonio Shalfoon, 6-Johnny Lee©, 7-Leicester Fainga’anuku, 8-Shannon Frizell, 9-Noah Hotham, 10-William Havili, 11-Macca Springer, 12-David Havili, 13-Timoci Tavatavanawai, 14-Kyren Taumoefolau, 15-Maloni Kunawave. Reserves: 16-Dylan Irvine, 17-Tom Heywood, 18-Sione Mafi, 19-Hunter Leppien, 20-Rory Scott, 21-Mitchell Drummond, 22-Cooper Roberts, 23-Nic Sauira.
