Randle revs up Waikato

Pacy winger Roger Randle will bolster Waikato's backline for this season's national championship.

Randle, 32, has returned from French club Bourgoin-Jallieu and made his first appearance at Waikato training in Hamilton yesterday.

In 54 games for Waikato, Randle scored 49 tries, making him the province's fourth-highest tryscorer. He also played 59 Super 12 games for the Chiefs and five for the Hurricanes.

Randle, who played twice for the All Blacks, against Ireland A and Scotland A in 2001, has returned to New Zealand after the death of his 15-month-old son Luka , who drowned in a swimming pool accident this year.

Waikato's side to play Wellington in an Air New Zealand Cup lead-up match in Hamilton on Saturday includes three newcomers, halfback Malcolm Barnes, centre Zion Nordstrom and fullback Jared Payne. There is also a core of experienced forwards, notably former All Blacks Tom Willis, Jono Gibbes, Marty Holah and captain Steven Bates.

"We sent out a strong side last week against Taranaki [which Waikato won 34-21] and some of our players missed out on selection due to playing in the club finals," coach Warren Gatland said. "This weekend we are looking at utilising the depth in our squad."

There will also be plenty of interest in the form of All Black wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, who is having his second game back after a lengthy injury layoff. He played against Taranaki and Gatland liked what he saw.

"I was really impressed with how he went looking for the ball," he said.

Sivivatu, Randle and Wellington signing Roy Kinikinilau will give Waikato significant depth out wide, something the side lacked last year.

Saturday's game will be the 1000th in the union's history.