Coach unfazed by Waikato's casualty list

Waikato medical staff probably feel they have just completed a season instead of preparing for one.

Coach Warren Gatland named his 35-man squad yesterday and his playing roster could have originated from a hospital ward, with four pivotal players unavailable for the opening rounds of the provincial competition.

Given the casualty list, the former Ireland mentor would be pleased that they have a first round bye before opening their campaign against Southland on August 5.

Key players sidelined from the opening rounds of the Air New Zealand Cup include first five-eighths Stephen Donald (elbow), lock Sean Hohneck (knee), loose-forward Sione Lauaki (pectoral muscle) and former All Blacks lock Keith Robinson (knee).

Robinson, whose promising career stalled after a serious back injury, had another comeback thwarted when he strained his medial ligament.

Gatland said Robinson was not expected to play for another 10 weeks but he still believed the abrasive lock would feature for Waikato this season.

"I asked him what he's done in a previous life to upset someone," said Gatland yesterday. "He's just been unlucky and it's a real shame because he was keen and enthusiastic.

"If he can do the rehab, he'll be back between nine and 12 weeks. He's going to be an important part for us during that second round and we definitely want to keep him involved."

Donald and Lauaki should be available in about three weeks, but Hohneck, who is recovering from knee surgery, was not expected back until the second round.

Besides the marquee players, prop Aled de Malmanche has a broken thumb, but Gatland said he was not perturbed by the list of walking wounded.

"In most squads you pick up a few injuries. That's not a huge concern at the moment, it's just when guys pick up injuries as you really start a campaign.

"We put out a pretty strong side last week against Taranaki [in a pre-season game] so we're pretty happy with the squad."

Players who missed last season for Waikato through injury but made the cut this year include fullback Loki Crichton and hooker Tom Willis.

Two new players to the squad include All Blacks centre Mils Muliaina, who transferred to the Chiefs last year, and former Wellington winger Roy Kinikinilau, who played Super 14 for the Highlanders.

Gatland also named a host of rookies in props Craig West and Andre Ellison, halfback Malcolm Barnes, midfielder Zion Nordstrom and fullback Jared Payne.

As well as having to address his injury toll, Gatland was preparing for possibly Jono Gibbes' last season, with the influential loose forward/lock linked to a move to Welsh club Osprey's.

Gatland said the uncertainty surrounding Gibbes' future had not been unsettling the squad.

"Whatever Jono's decision now, we'll support him 100 per cent. He's been around for a while and if it's his last season, we want to make it a good one for him."

Loose forward Steven Bates will skipper the side.

WAIKATO SQUAD

Forwards: Sam Biddles, Andre Ellison, Aled de Malmanche, Ted Tauroa, Craig West, Nathan White, Scott Linklater, Tom Willis, Mark Burman, Kent Fife, Jono Gibbes, Sean Hohneck, Toby Lynn, Ben Paurini, Keith Robinson, Steven Bates (captain), Marty Holah, Sione Lauaki, Liam Messam, Steven Setephano.

Backs: Byron Kelleher, Brendon Leonard, Malcolm Barnes, Stephen Donald, David Hill, William Ripia, Richard Kahui, Zion Nordstrom, Dwayne Sweeney, Roy Kinikinilau, Jared Payne, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Sosene Anesi, Loki Crichton, Mils Muliaina.

- NZPA