Heavy losses leave Waikato side starting from scratch

By CHRIS RATTUE

Waikato may have only one All Black certainty, but coach Ian Foster says it's back to square one for a new-look lineup this season.

Waikato face a searching early test in Hamilton today against Taranaki, after storming through the competition last year losing only once in the round robin before losing the final at home to Auckland.

In theory anyway, with Marty Holah their one World Cup certainty, the absence of leading players from this year's competition should leave Waikato as NPC favourites.

However, Waikato have lost wings Roger Randle and Bruce Reihana, midfield back Mark Ranby, captain and No 8 Deon Muir, lock Royce Willis, plus frontrowers Guy Coleman and Tony Philp from last year's campaign. Hooker Greg Smith faces Fiji commitments.

Foster said: "Last year's gone. I can't remember a thing. I've got eight guys who are gone, so it's a completely different team in my book.

"I think it's a trap to look back too much and assume too much. This is a different campaign, a different challenge."

Waikato have probably lost 14-game wing Matthew Priscott to a thigh muscle injury, bringing Sosene Anesi into the side for his NPC debut.

The 22-year-old Anesi has represented Samoa at sevens and makes the breakthrough after knee injury problems in the past two seasons.

Foster has also opted for utility Loki Crichton on the other wing - on the goalkicking factor as David Hills is still sidelined.

Waikato crushed Taranaki in New Plymouth in the Ryan Wheeler Memorial Trophy match last season.

But Foster said: "In the past four or five years, Taranaki have started their NPC campaigns particularly well. With the way the weather is looking, it will be a pretty intensive forward battle."

Teams:

Waikato: Todd Miller, Sosene Anesi/Matt Priscott, Regan King, Keith Lowen, Loki Crichton, Derek Maisey, Isaac Boss; Steven Bates, Scott Couch, Jono Gibbes (capt), Keith Robinson, Chresten Davis, Deacon Manu, Scott Linklater, Michael Collins.

Res: John Pareanga, David Briggs, Sean Hohneck, Wayne McEntee; Rhys Duggan, Dwayne Sweeney, David Johnston/Anesi.

Taranaki: Daryl Lilley, James Kerr, Mark Stewart, Bryce Robins, Shayne Austin, Mark Urwin, Brendan Haami; Chris Masoe, Richard Bryant, Brent Thompson, Reece Robinson, Paul Tito (capt), Gordon Slater, Andrew Hore, Tony Penn.

Res: Daniel Smith, Tama Tuirirangi, Scott Breman, Brendon McGlashan; Craig Fevre, Sam Young, Mathew Harvey.

Referee: Kevin Rowe. Kickoff: 4.35pm.