Mooloos pay-off for Alex Bradley

PETER DRURY/Waikato Times

LEANER AND MEANER: Alex Bradley's physicality will be needed against Taranaki tomorrow.

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This time last year Alex Bradley wasn't even in the Waikato rugby squad, instead captaining the province's development side.

But after starting the last nine matches of the national championship at No8 he worked long and hard during the off-season to make sure he was there from the outset of the inaugural ITM Cup this year. Tomorrow, against Taranaki, that work pays off.

"I didn't really stop since last year and I did heaps of pre-season training and I think I've benefited from it.

"I've lost a bit of weight and got a bit stronger through the gym so hopefully she'll go all right."

Tomorrow at 4.35pm the 28-year-old Matamata plumber starts against Taranaki at Waikato Stadium as a replacement for the injured Steven Setephano. The no-nonsense "grunt" that the Morrinsville Sports captain brings could be just what is needed against a powerful opposition eight.

Waikato head coach Chris Gibbes said they were happy with Bradley's physicality against Auckland as a replacement last week.

"He's definitely leaner [this year] and being leaner he's able to aerobically carry himself a little bit longer but what Brads has done is bring a real honest approach to his game," Gibbes said.

"He knows what he has to work on, he knows what his strengths are and he's one of those guys prepared to work hard on them so he gets his opportunity this week and I'm sure he'll take it."

Waikato are seeking their third win on the trot in the inaugural ITM Cup and Taranaki their second.

As usual in Waikato-Taranaki clashes, also at stake is the Ryan Wheeler Trophy, which is played in memory of Wheeler who represented both provinces.

Gibbes was one who played club rugby with Wheeler at Hamilton Marist.

"It's massive. It's been 10 years since he went and there are a few of us here who played with him and it means a hell of a lot to me.

"But we're focused on the performance of the team first and if we can bring the trophy home that would be awesome.

"It means just as much to them too, so there's a lot on it."

To do that Waikato have to face a Taranaki outfit that have recruited well in the off-season and look particularly strong on paper.

"The Taranaki style is an uncompromising physical one and they've also got the ability to move the ball and to hurt you out wide."

Waikato have kept their own backline intact for this game with Jackson Willison still out injured.

"Stormy [backs coach Scott McLeod] and I are pretty happy with the combination that's out there at the moment and they get another chance this week to keep building on their performance as a team, but they've got a big job ahead of them this weekend," Gibbes said.

TEAMS

WAIKATO: Sosene Anesi, Henry Speight, Save Tokula, Christian Lealiifano, Dwayne Sweeney, Trent Renata, Brendon Leonard (vc), Alex Bradley, Jack Lam, Liam Messam, Romana Graham, Toby Lynn, Nathan White (c), Vern Kamo, Toby Smith. Res: Aled de Malmanche/Andre Ellison, Hikairo Forbes, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Matt Vant Leven, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tim Mikkelson, Sam Christie.

TARANAKI: Kurt Baker, Andre Taylor, George Pisi, Jayden Hayward, David Smith, Willie Ripia, Tyson Keats, Ben Souness, Chris Walker, Jarrad Hoeata, Craig Clarke (c), James Broadhurst, Michael Bent, Laurence Corlett, Shane Cleaver. Res: Timo Tutavaha, Carl Carmichael, Samuela Vunisa, Scott Waldrom, Brett Goodin, Isaia Tuifua, Beauden Barrett.

REFEREE: Nick Briant.

KICKOFF: 4.35pm tomorrow, Waikato Stadium

- © Fairfax NZ News