KEY POINTS:
Sione Lauaki's lack of game time continues into the Air New Zealand Cup with Waikato rugby coach Warren Gatland today omitting the blockbusting loose forward from Thursday's competition opener against Manawatu.
Lauaki, who was named in the World Cup squad on Sunday, had hoped to play in Palmerston North but Gatland has decided to confine him to gym duty until the second round clash against Southland in Hamilton next Saturday.
Limited by knee surgery required at the end of the Super 14, Lauaki played just two matches for the Junior All Blacks before his recall from a two-year international exile.
Lauaki was among 11 Cup squad members released to play the early rounds of the domestic competition but, after admitting he was slightly above his ideal playing weight, he will concentrate on conditioning this week after missing all of Waikato's pre-season games.
"He needs some training under his belt this week to get him right for our round two match against Southland," said Gatland, who still has quality loose forwards at his disposal.
Liam Messam, Marty Holah and Steven Bates will run on at Arena Manawatu while Steven Setephano offers cover from the bench.
Waikato's other available All Black, halfback Brendon Leonard, will start in the first of three appearances he can make for the defending champions.
The squads's other specialist halfback David Bason will play the local club rugby final on Saturday, leaving utility William Ripia as Leonard's back up.
Despite the loss of David Hill, a season-ending injury to Richard Kahui and unavailability of Sitiveni Sivivatu, Waikato can still field a potent backline marshalled by first five-eighth Stephen Donald.
Outside the Junior All Black pivot, former Auckland midfielder Roimata Hansell-Pune will make his first class debut for the province.
The match is significant for winger Sosene Anesi, who plays his first major match since fracturing his neck in round two of the Super 14 against the Hurricanes in February.
Waikato
Jared Payne, Sosene Anesi, Dwayne Sweeney, Roimata Hansell-Pune, Roy Kinikinilau, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam, Marty Holah, Steven Bates, Toby Lynn, Jono Gibbes, Nathan White, Tom Willis (captain), Craig West.
Reserves: Vern Kamo, Aled de Malmanche, Mark Burman, Steven Setephano, William Ripia, Jackson Willison, James Kamana.
- NZPA
