Waikato welcome back Willis for quarterfinal

Waikato welcome back first choice hooker Tom Willis while rejuvenated former All Blacks lock Keith Robinson 's rugby return continues to exceed expectations ahead of Saturday's Air New Zealand quarterfinal match with Southland.

Robinson, who made a surprise return against Wellington on September 23, will start his third consecutive game after it was initially expected he would start on the bench at Waikato Stadium.

Robinson, on the comeback trail from a serious back injury, needed a cortisone jab and fluid drained from a knee before last Sunday's 31-15 defeat of North Harbour.

However, he has convinced coach Warren Gatland he is capable of fronting up against the Stags in the third of four sudden death top eight play-offs.

"He was off his feet for most of the week, but now feels like he wants to get more rugby under his belt, so we're starting him. We've looked after him," Gatland said.

Robinson will combine with Jono Gibbes, who takes over the captaincy from Steven Bates.

The flanker has earned a spell on the bench after a couple of sterling performances in recent weeks though the loose forward mix is hardly weakened in his absence with Liam Messam, Marty Holah and Sione Lauaki starting.

In the front row Willis is back from a two-week lay-off following an ankle injury.

He will pack down with young prop Aled de Malmanche, who will make his starting debut in place of established loosehead Craig West.

G atland has also rejigged his backline with Brendon Leonard getting the start ahead of Byron Kelleher at halfback while David Hill returns from a hip injury to play in the midfield with impressive centre Richard Kahui.

Utility Dwayne Sweeney is on the bench.

Sosene Anesi also comes on to the right wing for Roy Kinikinilau, who drops to the reserves.

The match kicks off at 7.35pm.

Waikato: Mils Muliaina, Sosene Anesi, Richard Kahui, David Hill, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam, Marty Holah, Sione Lauaki, Keith Robinson, Jono Gibbes (captain), Nathan White, Tom Willis, Aled de Malmanche.

Reserves: Scott Linklater, Ted Tauroa, Toby Lynn, Steven Bates, Byron Kelleher, Dwayne Sweeney, Roy Kinikinilau.

- NZPA