Zak's finally on the flank

Zak Hohneck has had to bide his time.

Seemingly the forgotten man of the Waikato ITM Cup rugby squad after moving here from Rotorua earlier this year, the 20-year-old open-side flanker is finally set for his debut against Hawke's Bay tomorrow.

Hohneck, who last year played six games for Bay of Plenty as a 19-year-old including five as a starter, has overcome injuries and concussion to wear the No7 jersey, while Jack Lam moves to blind-side flanker and All Black Liam Messam to No8.

His introduction is one of three personnel changes to the Waikato forward pack with loose-head prop Toby Smith returning in place of Ben May after missing last weekend's win over North Harbour with a hamstring strain and Romana Graham coming in at lock in place of Dominiko Waqaniburotu.

Both May and Waqaniburotu go to the bench where they are joined by specialist No8 Alex Bradley in place of Matt Vant Leven, while Henry Speight returns to the reserves in place of All Black Richard Kahui, who has reinjured his shoulder and was to see a specialist today.

Head coach Chris Gibbes said the Messam-Hohneck-Lam combination was one the coaches had been wanting to try for a while.

"And we think it's probably the perfect game to try it. Hawke's Bay are a mobile team and we think this is an ideal opportunity to give not only Zak his first cap for Waikato, but also to try a different combination," Gibbes said.

It has been a frustrating time for Hohneck, having badly cut his mouth in his first club match for Otorohanga after a delayed move to the province on completion of his apprenticeship.

He then suffered his first concussion in the last pre-season game, resulting in a four-week stand-down, followed by an ankle injury before battling his way back to match fitness via the Waikato Development XV.

"I've had three games for the Development team and they've all gone pretty well," Hohneck said.

"We've won all three of them and it's a good team to be part of and has definitely got me back on my feet for this grade."

Hohneck comes in expecting to carry a big load at the breakdowns, where Waikato are looking to make a mark against the Magpies.

"I think it will take a bit of heat off [Messam] and he'll get to run the ball and do his own thing and stand out a bit more," Hohneck said.

"I'll do a bit more grovelling and hopefully Jack can do some more ball running too, but we're definitely hoping to steal some ball this weekend with sevens."

Hohneck played left and right flanker with Tanerau Latimer at Bay of Plenty last year but will be a specialist seven tomorrow and is just hoping to get through 80 minutes.

TEAM

Waikato: Sosene Anesi, Tim Mikkelson, Save Tokula, Christian Lealiifano, Dwayne Sweeney, Trent Renata, Brendon Leonard (vc), Liam Messam, Zak Hohneck, Jack Lam, Romana Graham, Toby Lynn, Nathan White (c), Aled de Malmanche, Toby Smith. Res: Vern Kamo, Ben May, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Alex Bradley, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Sam Christie, Henry Speight.

- © Fairfax NZ News