Waikato still searching for their attacking spark

By CHRIS RATTUE

Waikato will be out to find their attacking spark when they face Wellington in Hamilton tonight.

Waikato seem to have started this year's NPC sluggishly, with injuries playing a part in a lacklustre performance against a committed Taranaki defence last week.

The key to Waikato's rampaging form in last year's NPC was the centre combination between club mates Keith Lowen and Regan King.

Waikato averaged five tries a game in last year's round-robin.

But King and Lowen have come into this campaign off injuries, Lowen having recovered from a rolled ankle and King having had a hernia operation and then a groin problem.

Waikato are also dealing with new wings after the loss of Bruce Reihana and Roger Randle.

The attacking combinations were missing against Taranaki, where Sosene Anesi made his debut on one wing and Loki Crichton played out of position on the other.

Combinations are what Waikato coach Ian Foster is trying to build, having left his starting lineup unchanged, although there may be few other options for him at this stage.

Wellington have returned Jason Spice to the lineup and the halfback should add some attacking verve to their game.

Spice has played just 20 minutes of rugby since May because of knee injury.

The big loss for Wellington is openside Kupu Vanisi, who is out for the season with a fractured shoulder. He joins experienced forwards Luke Andrews and Shane Carter on the sideline.

Vanisi's contribution is sometimes downplayed, simply because New Zealand has so many outstanding openside flankers.

He is a big loss and will be sorely missed by Wellington.

National sevens representative Scott Waldrom takes his place.

Former All Black Pita Alatini joins the reserves after recovering from an ankle injury.

Waikato have won the last two encounters between the sides.