KEY POINTS:
Waikato's Sosene Anesi returns to rugby action on Friday, five months after breaking his neck at Waikato Stadium while playing for the Chiefs.
He underwent an intense rehabilitation programme and was given the clearance by specialists to play again just over a month ago.
The 26-year-old fullback/winger suffered a fracture to his C6 vertabrae.
He will make up a dynamic-looking Waikato backline that includes winger Roy Kinikinilau, fullback Jared Payne, Dwayne Sweeney and Watene Waenga at midfield and William Ripia at first five-eighth.
Locks Mark Burman and Ben Paurini will join Craig West, Tom Willis and Nathan White in the tight five.
"I'm still giving some guys an opportunity to show their form before the squad is named next week," Waikato coach Warren Gatland said.
"I'm conscious that we've got only one other pre-season match after this, and then we have a six-day turn around into our first Air New Zealand Cup match against Manawatu."
Waikato, the holders, and Taranaki will play for the Ryan Wheeler Memorial Trophy.
Waikato:
Jared Payne, Sosene Anesi, Dwayne Sweeney, Watene Waenga, Roy Kinikinilau, William Ripia, David Bason, Steven Setephano, Marty Holah, Steven Bates, Ben Paurini, Mark Burman, Nathan White, Tom Willis (captain), Craig West.
Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Andre Ellison, Kent Fife, Liam Messam, Daniel Teka, Jackson Willison, James Kamana.
- NZPA
