Waikato celebrate with the Ranfurly Shield following the round nine ITM Cup match between Hawke's Bay and Waikato on October 9, 2015 in Napier, New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images
Few, least of all the coach, know what to expect from an untried Thames Valley Swamp Foxes squad for today's "home" Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato in Paeroa.
Coach Hayden Roe has named a largely unknown 23, with just three starters returning from 2015: second-five Moss Doran, openside Shayne Johnson
and captain and hooker Hayden Wisnewski. A handful off the bench have also appeared, while No 8 Brett Ranga, the 2016 player of origin, skippered the side in 2014.
"A few guys have retired, there's a few injuries and a few guys have moved on," says Roe. "We're pretty multi-cultural this year."
With potentially 15 debutants tomorrow, Roe is not well versed in the background of all his players.
"I know probably as much about the Waikato team as I know about my team," he quips.
