Mako NPC team named to play North Harbour

Saturday 20 August, 4.35pm

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

By Peter Jones [Marlborough App]

The return of All Blacks’ gamebreakers Leicester Fainga’anuku and Sevu Reece has added much-needed strikepower to the Mako backline ahead of their pivotal Bunnings NPC match-up with North Harbour at Albany on Saturday afternoon.

The introduction of the pacy pair is among seven changes to the starting side which went down to Otago last weekend.

Luca Inch switches sides of the scrum, replacing Ryan Coxon at loosehead prop, while Andrew Makalio returns at hooker, pushing Quentin MacDonald to the bench. The loose forward mix is again revamped, Braden Stewart coming in at seven, with Sione Havili replacing Hugh Renton at eight.

Behind the scrum, Noah Hotham returns as starting halfback, Louie Chapman back on the bench, Fainga’anuku replaces Macca Springer on the left wing while Reece will play fullback in place of Taine Robinson.

Kershawl Sykes Martin and Antonio Shalfoon are poised to make their first appearances this season from the bench.

The Mako team to take on North Harbour at Albany on Saturday: 1 Luca Inch, 2 Andrew Makalio, 3 Sam Matenga, 4 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 5 Quinten Strange (captain), 6 Max Hicks, 7 Braden Stewart, 8 Sione Havili; 9 Noah Hotham, 10 Campbell Parata, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 Alex Nankivell, 13 Levi Aumua, 14 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 15 Sevu Reece.

Sparkies: Quentin MacDonald, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Atu Moli, Mahonri Ngakuru, Antonio Shalfoon, Louie Chapman, Willie Havili, Fetuli Paea. Kick off 4.35pm.