Makos High Performance XV named to take on its Welllington

A host of new players get their chance to impress as the Makos High Performance XV prepares to take on its Welllington counterpart in their pre-season representative rugby clash at Evan Bay Park in Wellington on Wednesday.

It's the second of three pre-season matches for the Makos, having already beaten the Counties Manukau Cavaliers 29-22 at Papakura in June. The third and final game is against a Manawatu HP XV on August 12 in Nelson, kickoff 1.30pm.

Tasman's head coach Leon MacDonald got a good look at several of his prospects in June, with just seven of that initial starting lineup also getting a start on Wednesday.

Otherwise, it's a chance for MacDonald and his assistant, Mark Hammett, to dip once more into the union's impressive talent pool as they continue the count-down to their official squad announcement for this year's national provincial championship.

There are several points of interest in the selection, notably the pairing of new halfback signing Finlay Christie with Mitch Hunt as the starting halves combination. Hunt has signed with Tasman after several seasons in Auckland and was part of the Crusaders' extended Super Rugby squad this year.

The multi-talented Te Puoho Stephens starts on the wing after playing the entire club season for Marist at flanker. East Coast utility back and former Australian international Richard Kingi starts at fullback after playing on the wing against the Cavaliers..

New Zealand under-20 representative Quinten Strange and Jeff Lepa get their opportunities as starting locks, leaving Pari Pari Parkinson to provide impact off the bench. Flanker Vern Fredericks has again been named as captain.

Blues Super Rugby halfback Billy Guyton will come off the bench.

"It gives that next group an opportunity to shine," assistant coach Hammett said. "There's still contracts up for grabs amongst that group so there's a lot of motivation around the game."

Kick off is at 1.30pm on Wednesday.

 

MAKOS HIGH PERFORMANCE XV: Richard Kingi, Te Puoho Stephens, Amos Pongia, Alex Nankivell, Tima Faingaanuku, Mitch Hunt, Finlay Christie, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Vernon Fredericks (c), Ethan Blackadder, Quinten Strange, Jeff Lepa, Blair Prinsep, Jesse MacDonald, Tom Hill; reserves:  Andrew Makalio, Drew Petelo, Inoke Latu, Pari Pari Parkinson, Braden Stewart, Billy Guyton, Andrew Knewstubb, TC Campbell.