The Sky Blues are resting regular captain and halfback Sam Parkes. Josh Dearden will start.
Tomorrow’s skipper will be No.8 and former New Zealand Māori representative Mitch Crosswell.
The pack will once again be without rake Joe Royal, who made his debut for Auckland last week in the NPC.
Jorian Tangaere has shown he is a worthy replacement,, including a Most Valuable Player performance in the Coast’s 31-11 win over Poverty Bay last weekend,
Former Hurricanes strongman Faifili Levave has come in at blindside flanker, with Hone Haerewa shifting to openside in the absence of Will Bolingford.
The Coast’s set-pieces and lineout drive will need to be at their best. The idea of this NPEC posse overrunning Whanganui like Khal Drogo’s Game of Thrones Dothraki horde has a certain appeal.
“We’ve made a good start in this competition but there’s still a lot of hard work to be done as a team. We’re far from the finished product,” said head coach Tamatea.
“Our depth, no matter the 23, means that our standards have remained high and everyone is competing, which makes for good results.
“Our priority is to get down to the right part of the field, look after our own ball and contain their big ball runners.”
Hamlin knows the danger posed by the Coast.
“They’re playing well and have a strong forward pack and their combination at halfback and first-five has been very good.
“We know it’s another big game for us as we hope to move up the ladder.
“We’ve been getting about 1000 in at home games. On the park we’re well balanced and in my opinion our combination from nine through to 13 is tops on attack and defence. This will be an interesting fixture.”
Parkes sees the challenge as a good one.
“Whanganui are peaking at the right time — you have to expect that. We’re resting a number of players this weekend, including myself, who are carrying a couple of injuries.”
The Coast have won only three games against Whanganui since the advent of the National Provincial Championship — one of those their famous come-from-behind 29-27 victory in the 2012 Meads Cup Heartland top four final.
Whanganui have comfortably won all five games since that day, including a 34-18 triumph last year.
The Coast, after four wins on the trot, are sitting third on the table, three points ahead of Whanganui.
The man with the whistle for this, the 30th clash between the Kaupoi and the Butcher Boys since 1976, is physician Stu Curran, 28, of Manawatu in his 26th first-class appointment.
His assistant referees are Amon Rimene (Manawatu) and Robbie Clarke (Wanganui).
NGĀTI POROU EAST COAST KAUPOI: Jody Tuhaka, Jorian Tangaere (v), Perrin Manuel, Nick Crosswell, Hoani Te Moana, Faifili Levave, Hone Haerewa, Mitch Crosswell (c), Josh Dearden, Terangi Fraser, Taane Paki, Tavita Nabura, Tutere Waenga, BJ Sidney, Renata Roberts-Te Nana. R: Jaya More, Hakarangi Tichborne, Jayden Leiua-Pokia, Rico Te Kani, Jack Richardson, Hamuera Moana, Paora Mullany, Verdon Bartlett.
WHANGANUI: Konrad Newland, Roman Tutauha, Raymond Salu, Matthew Ashworth, Joshua Lane, Josefa Namosimalua, Jamie Hughes, Douglas Horrocks, Lindsay Horrocks, Dane Whale (c), Josaia Bogileka, Timoci Seruwalu, Alekesio Vakarorogo, Apolosi Tanoa, Peceli Malanicagi. R: Alesana Tofa, Keightley Watson, Hadley Hay-Horton, Peter-Travis Hay-Horton, Samu Kubunavanua, Eben Claassen, Joshua Brungen, Luke Whale.
Yesterday’s Looking Ahead on page 2 in The Gisborne Herald said Verdon Bartlett would be playing his 100th game for Ngāti Porou East Coast against Whanganui in Whanganui tomorrow. That is incorrect. He is set to mark his century the following weekend in Ruatōria against King Country. Tomorrow will be his 99th appearance.
