KEY POINTS:
Coach Tony Hanks has rung the changes for the second week running as Waikato head to the capital looking to continue their mid-season resurgence against undefeated Wellington.
Hanks has bolstered his pack by recalling loosehead prop Hikairo Forbes, who has recovered from a head knock suffered against Auckland, and openside flanker Tom Harding, who was rested in last Sunday's victory over Counties Manukau.
Hanks made nine changes for that match and injuries have once again forced his hand for today's game, which kicks off at 6.30pm. Winger James Kamana impressed with two tries against Counties but injured his shoulder scoring the second. He joins Sosene Anesi (hamstring), Jackson Willison (ankle) and Henry Speight (ankle) on the injured list.
With his backline resources looking increasingly stretched, Hanks has named 23-year-old Savenaca Tokula to make his debut on the right wing.
"Save has always been on the fringes of Waikato rugby and it will be a big occasion for him," Hanks said.
It sure will. Wellington have been rampant this season, posting a perfect record of six bonus point wins.
Consecutive wins have helped Waikato recover from a shocking start to their campaign but they will be huge underdogs against a Wellington side that has stretched their undefeated run at home to 16 matches.
"We know we're up against the form team of the competition," Hanks said. "This game will be a true test of where our team is at."
After coming in as a late change last week when Anesi was injured in the warmup, Roimata Hansell-Pune retains his place at centre, with Dwayne Sweeney at fullback.
Wellington welcome back young try-scoring hooking sensation Dane Coles, who hasn't played since suffering a leg fracture in round two against North Harbour. With back-up hooker Ged Robinson suffering a fractured eye socket in last week's win over Manawatu, Coles' return is timely for Wellington. He is one of four changes to the side that beat the Turbos 36-13.
Ross Filipo replaces Api Naikatini at lock, while boom flanker Victor Vito gets a start on the blindside ahead of Chris Masoe. Fa'atonu Fili replaces Michael Hobbs at first five-eighths in the sole change to the backline.
North Harbour coach Wayne Pivac has kept faith with the team that was thrashed 36-9 by Canterbury last Saturday night for his side's trip to Southland (4.30pm). Pivac has named an unchanged side for the trip to the deep south to face a Southland team on the rebound from last Saturday's failed Ranfurly Shield challenge.
Harbour's defeat by Canterbury saw them slip to ninth, while Southland head into the match in fifth with a 3-3 record.
Today's other game sees this season's surprise package Tasman take on Otago in the 2.35pm kickoff in Nelson. Both sides have 3-3 records but Tasman head into the round seventh, a place ahead of Otago thanks to an extra bonus point.
Counties Manukau will be hoping their first game back at Pukekohe since their shock first round defeat of Auckland will help them break a five-match losing streak when they take on Hawke's Bay tomorrow.
The close-loss bonus point the Steelers picked up against Waikato on Sunday was their first since round one. They head into the game bottom of the table but a win would see them leapfrog Manawatu and Northland.
Last season's darlings Hawke's Bay have recovered from early defeats by Wellington and Southland and head into the match riding a three-game winning streak having dispatched Tasman, Otago and Taranaki in recent weeks. Another win tomorrow would consolidate their place in the top four.
