KEY POINTS:
All Blacks Stephen Donald and Sione Lauaki will start for a struggling Waikato in their Air NZ Cup rugby match against North Harbour in Albany on Sunday.
First five-eighth Donald is set for his first game for the province this season.
He will combine with Callum Bruce at second five-eighth while Jackson Willison moves out one place to centre.
Halfback Malcolm Barnes returns from injury to start, with David Bason ruled out due to a hamstring strain.
Lauaki's return, combined with an illness to openside flanker Tom Harding, has forced changes to the Waikato loose forward trio.
Lauaki will start at No 8, Faifili Levave stays on the blindside and captain Liam Messam moves to the openside.
The front row also has a new look, with hooker Vern Kamo to start for Waikato for the first time.
Kamo will be supported by loosehead prop Hikairo Forbes while tighthead Toby Smith, 19, will have his first start in the No 3 jersey.
Waikato have yet to win a match, suffering two losses and drawing one of their opening three games.
Waikato
Sosene Anesi, Tim Mikkelson, Jackson Willison, Callum Bruce, Henry Speight, Stephen Donald, Malcolm Barnes, Sione Lauaki, Liam Messam (captain), Faifili Levave, Kevin O'Neill, Toby Lynn, Toby Smith, Vern Kamo, Hikairo Forbes.
Reserves: Ole Avei, Josh Hohneck, Kent Fife, Matt Blain, Josh Sutherland, Roimata Hansell-Pune, Dwayne Sweeney.
- NZPA
