News

Waikato do battle without star duo

October 10 2008

Waikato duo Stephen Donald and Liam Messam have predictably lost the race against time to be fit for Sunday's Air New Zealand Cup quarter-final against bogey team Hawke's Bay.

However, the 2006 champions, seeking to arrest a three-game losing streak in Napier, have the luxury of strengthening their back three with the inclusion of All Blacks full-back Mils Muliaina.

It will be the former Aucklander's first provincial cap since Waikato won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup final two years ago.

He replaces Sosene Anesi, who switches to the right wing while Tim Mikkelson drops to the bench.

Messam has been nursing a hamstring strain for several weeks and will not be risked despite the threat he poses in open play.

Waikato coach Tony Hanks forecast earlier in the week that his captain would be rested, saying he did not want to hamper Messam's chances of making the All Blacks' upcoming Bledisloe Cup Test in Hong Kong and subsequent tour of Britain and Ireland.

Messam has been replaced on the blindside flank by Faifili Levave while Tom Harding and Sione Lauaki complete an impressive loose trio.

Donald, the All Blacks' back-up pivot, damaged ribs during last weekend's 45-41 win over Taranaki and will also be hoping for a swift recovery for the All Blacks' end-of-year tour.

Regular pivot Callum Bruce returns to run a back-line brimming with attacking potency in the form of Richard Kahui, Anesi and Sitiveni Sivivatu - whose last-minute try against Taranaki last Thursday ensured Waikato progressed to the sudden-death phase.

That narrow victory was Waikato's fourth in six matches and continued a resurgence needed after they lost to Northland, Tasman, North Harbour and drew with Manawatu in the first four rounds of the regular season.

"We're looking forward to this match and for us it is another knockout game of rugby," Hanks said.

"We know we're playing a Hawke's Bay team that is full of confidence, but our confidence has also grown over the past month.

"Finally we can put those first four games of the season to bed and forget about them."

Hawke's Bay qualified third for the play-offs after fashioning a seven-win, three-loss record that included a 24-15 defeat of Waikato in Round Eight.

The teams met at the same stage last season, where Hawke's Bay progressed to the semi-finals following a 38-35 triumph.