KEY POINTS:
Waikato rugby coach Tony Hanks has tinkered with his backline to stem the team's losing streak in the Air NZ Cup competition.
Hanks today named Henry Speight to debut for the province on the right wing against Manawatu in Palmerston North on Thursday night.
The inclusion of Speight, 20 and originally from Fiji, sees Sosene Anesi move to fullback and a new midfield combination of Jackson Willison and Dwayne Sweeney get their chance to impress, with Roimata Hansell-Pune moving to the bench.
As well, Hikairo Forbes will start at loosehead prop, with Craig West named on the reserves bench.
West returned from a long injury-enforced layoff last week when Waikato lost 14-16 to Tasman, a result which followed their first-round loss to Northland.
"We've resisted the chance to make wholesale changes this week and we're giving a number of players a chance to redeem themselves after two losses," Hanks said.
Team: Sosene Anesi, Henry Speight, Dwayne Sweeney, Jackson Willison, Tim Mikkelson, Callum Bruce, David Bason, Liam Messam (captain), Tom Harding, Faifili Levave, Kevin O'Neill, Toby Lynn, Aled de Malmanche, Oli Avei, Hikairo Forbes.
Reserves: Craig West, Josh Hohneck, Kent Fife, Matt Blain, Josh Sutherland, Trent Renata, Roimata Hansell-Pune.
- NZPA
