News

O'Neill blow for Waikato

September 24 2008

Waikato will have to do without All Blacks lock Kevin O'Neill for the remainder of the Air New Zealand Cup season.

He was to undergo a shoulder operation on Wednesday, ruling him out of action for the rest of the season.

Coach Tony Hanks has named the 2.02m Romana Graham to make his debut in O'Neill's place for the match against Otago in Hamilton on Friday.

The game will mark utility back Dwayne Sweeney's 50th match for Waikato.

Sweeney will play at outside centre, with Jackson Willison on his inside and Callum Bruce donning the number ten jersey ahead of Trent Renata.

Full-back Sosene Anesi returns after being sidelined for three weeks by a hamstring injury while the loose forward trio has been shuffled, with Faifili Levave at number eight, captain Messam on the the blindside flank and Tom Harding the openside.