KEY POINTS:
Waikato have suffered a setback ahead of tomorrow night's Air NZ Cup rugby clash against Wellington with pivot Stephen Donald ruled out today with an ankle injury.
The Junior All Blacks pivot failed a fitness test on the injury sustained during last weekend's 25-23 victory over Tasman.
He has been replaced by Willie Ripia while Waikato development squad member Sam Christie comes on to the bench for the match at Waikato Stadium (7.35pm).
Donald's absence has taken some of the gloss from Sosene Anesi's belated return from a quad strain suffered on the eve of the third-round match against Auckland on August 11.
Anesi, a one-test All Black in 2005, will slot at fullback for his 50th game for the province.
He is now the only backline survivor from the Waikato team that beat Wellington to claim last year's provincial title in Hamilton.
In better news for the defending champions, newly anointed senior lock Mark Burman has recovered from leg and rib niggles to remain in the second row.
Midfielder Roimata Hansell-Pune -- considered unlikely to play after spraining an ankle earlier -- has dispensed with the crutches and will play at second five-eighth.
Waikato captain Tom Willis said it was wise not to risk Donald given his team had probably already secured a quarterfinal berth though tomorrow's match could help them take a significant stride towards securing home advantage.
"That's the goal," said Willis, whose team are two points behind third-placed Wellington on 23 points with three rounds to complete.
"Any game at this time of the year is crucial -- it's all about building confidence, we've got two home games (the other is against Northland in week 10) and you want to nail those."
The former All Blacks hooker acknowledged Waikato would have to up their game after a squeaking home in Blenheim last weekend.
"I think we played our get out of jail free card there," he said.
"If we're honest, Tasman deserved to win the game and we did our best to throw it away.
He took no solace from Wellington's continuing reputation as the competition's most enigmatic side.
"People have been saying 'Oh Wellington's been going hot and cold' but the bottom line is so have we," Willis said.
"It's not like we've been very consistent this year either."
Waikato:
Sosene Anesi, Jared Payne, Dwayne Sweeney, Roimata Hansell-Pune, Roy Kinikinilau, Willie Ripia, David Bason, Liam Messam, Marty Holah, Steven Bates, Kent Fife, Mark Burman, Nathan White, Tom Willis (captain), Craig West.
Reserves:
Vern Kamo, Aled de Malmanche, Josh Olsen, Steven Setephano, Josh Sutherland, Sam Christie, James Kamana.
- NZPA
