Gisborne captain and openside flanker Roddick is focussed.
“We owe the jersey a performance this weekend,” he said.
There has been no lack of effort from this year’s team, who bounced back from a 24-0 loss to Napier (Football Challenge Cup) away in their Super 8 opener to give Rotorua (Craig Callaghan Memorial Trophy) a fright before going down 20-19, then toppling 2019 national champions Hastings 17-5 here.
The 54-10 beating Gisborne took from Palmerston North away last Saturday was an aberration.
Tapsell will be without second-five Tuteari Te Rauna-Lamont (second-five, injured), Von Huata (centre, injured) and Isaiah Lemaua (wing, illness), but is delighted to have Mafileo and Westrupp available.
Gisborne will debut 17-year-old left-wing Siope Fakahokotau.
“Siope trained well this week,” said Tapsell. “This is his chance to really show us what he can do.”
Tauranga, coached by former Poverty Bay senior representative Dan Goodwin and ex-GBHS first 15 superboot Richard Apanui, has six players back from 2019.
The Curtis Palmer-skippered Tauranga have lost all four of their Super 8 games this year — 15-0 to Rotorua, 15-11 to New Plymouth, 22-10 to Napier (22-10) and Hamilton (37-0).
“We’re looking forward to this,” said Goodwin. “Gisborne are physical, they can play and we both play for the right reasons.”
GBHS second 15 coach Wiremu Kaa said his crew learned a lot from last week’s 46-15 loss to Palmerston North and had done some fine-tuning for their clash with their Tauranga counterpats.
They are after their first win, having also lost to Napier 74-0, Rotorua 46-5 and Hastings 21-13.
Tauranga second 15 began their campaign with wins over Rotorua 12-5 and New Plymouth 18-10, but have since lost to Napier 31-0 and Hamilton 41-3.
Isaac Hughes, assisted by Keelyn Smith and Charlie Johnson, will control the first 15 game. Smith will ref the second 15 fixture at 11am.
Kitini Taihuka, Matariki Kaa, Sione Mafileo, Dylan Bronlund, Tyla Keelan-Phillips, Khian Westrupp, Amos Roddick (c), Nik Patumaka, Kirk Ngatai, Nic Proffit, Siope Fakahokotau, Corbyn Peach, Whetu King-Taufa, Bryan Howard, King Maxwell. Reserves: Henare Lardelli-Clarke, Max Briant, Nathaniel Hauiti, Sam Twigley, Kyran Russell, Taimana Teneti, TBC.
Josh Bartlett, Jayreeve Mose, Rayn-Hard Peka-Te Kuru, Grady Forbes, Curtis Palmer (c), Ethan Gardiner, Veveni Lasaqa, Jesse Rawiri, Flynn Henderson, Dante Gardiner, Finley Davenport, Mathew Stewart, Sloane Lankshear, Ryan Nicholson, Kase Meyer. Reserves: Kai Murase, Aoturoa Seeling, Jake McKean, Fangavalu Hammond, Dan Peleti, Sione Lasike.
Keegan Jooste, Rewiti Ropiha, Drake Wanoa, Uetaha Wanoa, Matiu Anderson, Jacob Storey, Te Ariki Pomana, Sitiveni Tuilautala, Israel Fox, Silas Brown, Taimana Teneti, Xavier Henare-Brown (c), Mikaere Marino-Moore, Adrian Wharehinga-McDonald, Whakaruru Waitai-Te Kurupa. Reserves: Moeaki Mosati, Hayze Nepia, Eni-Rukea Hiroti-Sinoti, Ben Phelps, Jayrieon Te Ahu Ahu, Haeore King, Saylahr Paaka.
Jack Anderson, Kai Murase, Kasey Anderson (c), David Carey, Josiah Lewis, Patterson Kelly, Sam James, Josh Elmsley, Nic Rowe, Max Miller, Sione Lasike, Jackson Wood, Baden Couper, Robert Veale, Reef Newdick. Reserves: Trent Ririnui, Zachary Murray, Sam Vaaulu.