Rugby: Waikato look to All Blacks to spark revival

All Black first-five Stephen Donald has been named to start for Waikato. Photo / Getty Images

Waikato hope their internationals can get their Air NZ Cup rugby campaign back on track against Counties-Manukau on Saturday.

Coming off one win from four matches, Waikato have named All Blacks halfback Brendon Leonard and first five-eighth Stephen Donald for the match at Pukekohe.

As well, All Blacks hooker Aled de Malmanche was also today named to start the match alongside fellow front rowers Hikairo Forbes and Nathan White.

Number eight Alex Bradley has been promoted from the Waikato Development team to form a loose forwards trio with Matt Blain and captain Liam Messam on the blindside flank.

"Alex has shown good form through club rugby and early parts of the Development team's campaign," coach Chris Gibbes said.

"He gets an opportunity to start and is excited by the challenge ahead, I'm sure he will make the most of his opportunity to showcase his skills as a specialist number eight."

Sosene Anesi has been moved from fullback to wing, with Trent Renata getting the nod to start in the No 15 jersey.

Waikato
Trent Renata, Sosene Anesi, Save Tokula, Callum Bruce, Dwayne Sweeney, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Alex Bradley, Matt Blain, Liam Messam (captain), Kevin O'Neill, Romana Graham, Nathan White, Aled de Malmanche, Hikairo Forbes.

Reserves: Vern Kamo, Ben May, Toby Lynn, Jordan Smiler, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Sam Christie, Tim Mikkelson.

- NZPA