Rugby: Changes up front for Waikato

Waikato lock Kevin O'Neill. Photo / Getty Images

Experienced tight five campaigners Kevin O'Neill and Nathan White return to the Waikato starting lineup for Saturday's Air NZ Cup rugby match against Bay of Plenty in Mt Maunganui.

O'Neill will combine with fellow-lock Romana Graham while prop White starts alongside hooker Ole Avei and loosehead prop Hikairo Forbes in the front row in changes from the team hammered 46-13 by Canterbury last weekend.

In the loose forward trio Jack Lam moves to number eight, captain Liam Messam starts on the blindside and Matt Blain from Waikato's development team comes in as openside flanker.

That shuffle was caused by the week's suspension handed to Jordan Smiler for a dangerous tackle against Canterbury.

In the backline, David Bason will start at halfback, replacing absent All Black Brendon Leonard, while Save Tokula gets the nod at centre for the Mooloos, in place of Roimata Hansell-Pune.

Waikato coach Chris Gibbes was wary of a Bay of Plenty side who top the table with three wins from three.

"The Steamers are a strong team, they are on a roll and we are on their home ground," Gibbes said.

In a quirk of fate, Saturday's match will be the first competition match between the Chiefs franchise partners since the Air NZ Cup began in 2006.

Waikato
Sosene Anesi, Tim Mikkelson, Save Tokula, Callum Bruce, Dwayne Sweeney, Sam Christie, David Bason, Jack Lam, Matt Blain, Liam Messam (captain), Romana Graham, Kevin O'Neill, Nathan White, Ole Avei, Hikairo Forbes.

Reserves: Vern Kamo/Lionel Wairau, Ben May/Latu Talakai, Toby Lynn, Kent Fife, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Trent Renata, Henry Speight

- NZPA