KEY POINTS:
Waikato's backline resources may have been devastated by All Black call-ups and injury but coach Warren Gatland says his side won't resort to 10-man rugby to defend their provincial title.
Waikato begin their title defence tonight against Manawatu in Palmerston North boasting a pack full of Super 14 campaigners but with an inexperienced backline that has looked flaky in conceding an average of 31 points per pre-season match.
Gatland admitted his side's strength lay in the forwards but said he believed the youngsters in the backline could step up to fill the shoes of All Blacks Sitiveni Sivivatu, Mils Muliaina, Byron Kelleher and the injured Richard Kahui.
"All of the players [in the pack] were in the Chiefs squad so that gives us some confidence up front but ideally we want to be a team that still plays some pretty positive rugby, that still moves the football," he said.
"I suppose there is a little bit of wait and see in terms of the style of game we play. [Our pack] gives us the flexibility to vary the game. If we need to muscle up front we've got that ability."
Last year Waikato led the competition with 48 tries en route to winning the Air New Zealand Cup. Kahui top-scored with eight, while Sivivatu crossed seven times.
Tonight's back three of Jared Payne, Sosene Anesi and Roy Kinikinilau looks solid enough and the side will also be boosted by the presence of France-bound halfback Brendon Leonard and first choice first five-eighths Stephen Donald, who played a limited role pre-season.
A scratchy pre-season draw with Wellington and a comprehensive defeat at home to Taranaki exposed the lack of depth in the province's backline resources but Gatland said those matches had been valuable.
Marty Holah, Steven Bates and Liam Messam form an imposing loose forward trio. There is no place for Sione Lauaki who was "still carrying a few extra pounds" and would concentrate on reconditioning and would likely face Southland next week, Gatland said.
With back-up halfback David Bason released to play in the Waikato club rugby final, William Ripia will cover halfback and first five-eighths from the bench.
Manawatu, who failed to notch a win in last year's tournament, have left Argentinian halfback Francisco Bosch on the bench.
FMG Stadium, 7.05 tonight
MANAWATU
15. Matty James
14. J. Tomasi Cama
13. Johnny Leota
12. Frankie Bryant
11. Aaron James
10. Graham Smith
9. Joggy Viljoen
8. Daniel Alofa
7. Josh Bradnock (c)
6. Ray Allen
5. Hayden Triggs
4. James Goode
3. David Te Moana
2. Rob Foreman
1. Grant Polson
Reserves: Ged Robinson, Talau Hala, Lisiate Fa'aoso, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Good, Siaosi Anamani, Francisco Bosch.
WAIKATO
15. Jared Payne
14. Sosene Anesi
13. Dwayne Sweeney
12. R. Hansell-Pune
11. Roy Kinikinilau
10. Stephen Donald
9. Brendon Leonard
8. Liam Messam
7. Marty Holah
6. Steven Bates
5. Toby Lynn
4. Jono Gibbes
3. Nathan White
2. Tom Willis (c)
1. Craig West
Reserves: Vern Kamo, Aled de Malmanche, Mark Burman, Steven Setephano, William Ripia, Jackson Willison, James Kamana.
