Import comes in as Mooloo fullback

Brumbies import Christian Lealiifano will start at fullback for Waikato in their opening national provincial rugby championship match in Hamilton on Saturday night.

Waikato coach Chris Gibbes today named his team for the ITM Cup opener against Bay of Plenty at 6.35pm at Waikato Stadium.

Lealiifano usually plays in the five-eighths for the Brumbies, but Trent Renata, who started five games in the 10 jersey last year and one in 15, will be the starting first-five and Chiefs midfield back Jackson Willison replaces departed second-five Callum Bruce.

That means Waratahs fullback Sosene Anesi, who started all but one match for Waikato last year in No15, moves over to the right wing.

The versatile Dwayne Sweeney, who played centre for New Zealand Maori recently, will be on the left wing, meaning two leading wing candidates – Tim Mikkelson and Henry Speight – are both on the bench.

Steven Setephano gets the starting No8 berth ahead of Alex Bradley, and current All Black Liam Messam and All Blacks rejects Brendon Leonard and Aled de Malmanche, all in the XV to take on the Steamers.

Vern Kamo returns from his finger injury to take his place on the bench as reserve hooker, while new Fiji captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu has headed Chris Middleton as reserve lock. Matt Vant Leven gets the back-up loose forward spot thanks to his ability to play all three positions.

Waqaniburotu has played for Waikato as a blind-side flanker but Fiji used the 1.98m, 111kg forward as a second rower and that is where Waikato plan to use him, with the bonus of him being able to switch to the side of the scrum.

TEAMS

Waikato: Christian Lealiifano, Sosene Anesi, Save Tokula, Jackson Willison, Dwayne Sweeney, Trent Renata, Brendon Leonard, Steven Setephano, Jack Lam, Liam Messam, Toby Lynn, Romana Graham, Nathan White, Aled de Malmanche, Toby Smith. Res: Vern Kamo, Hikairo Forbes, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Matt Vant Leven, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Henry Speight, Tim Mikkelson. Likely Bay of Plenty team: Toby Arnold, Lance MacDonald, Brett Mather, Grant McQuoid, Jason Hona, Dan Waenga, Taniela Moa, Colin Bourke (c), Tanerau Latimer, Luke Braid, Culum Retallick, Luke Andrews, Josh Hohneck, John Pareanga, Joe Savage. Res: Simon Chisholm, James McGougan/Tristan Moran, Aidan Kuka, Solomon King, Chad Tuoro, Phil Burleigh, Lelia Masaga.

- © Fairfax NZ News