New faces galore for Waikato NPC opener

A mix of the new and the grizzled will kick off Waikato's NPC campaign against Taranaki in Hamilton on Friday night.

The absence of All Blacks Sitiveni Sivivatu, Marty Holah and Byron Kelleher, plus injuries to regulars Jono Gibbes and Keith Lowen, have meant new coach Warren Gatland pencilling in some fresh names.

The team named last night includes two debutants, loosehead prop Sam Biddles, who will line up alongside seasoned pair Deacon Manu and Scott Linklater in the front row, and flanker Dave Faville, who has moved from third division King Country and gets a start in the No 7 jersey.

Lock Toby Lynn plays his third NPC game after a couple of outings last year; and wing Dwayne Sweeney has his fourth start in the competition. Four of the XV - Sweeney, fellow wing Richard Kahui, Lynn and flanker Liam Messam, along with reserve Willy Ripia - were in the New Zealand Colts team which finished third at the world championship in Argentina in June.

However their relative inexperience is balanced by a core of Chiefs Super 12 players, including exciting wing Sosene Anesi, fellow backs Mark Ranby, David Hill, Stephen Donald, and forwards, captain Steven Bates, lock Sean Hohneck, Manu and Linklater.

Despite losses to Northland and North Harbour in leadup games, Waikato will start as one of the favourites to make the semifinals.

The inspiring Gibbes is expected to be sidelined for a fortnight with a foot injury.

Waikato: Sosene Anesi, Richard Kahui, Mark Ranby, David Hill, Dwayne Sweeney, Stephen Donald, Isaac Boss, Steven Bates (c), Dave Faville, Liam Messam, Sean Hohneck, Toby Lynn, Deacon Manu, Scott Linklater, Sam Biddles. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche , Nathan White, Mark Burman, Steven Setephano, Brendon Leonard, Derek Maisey, Willy Ripia.