Rugby: Waikato lose two players to injury

Otago v Waikato

Waikato suffered a twin blow as they prepared for their opening NPC first-division match against Otago, with backs Roger Randle and Mark Ranby ruled out.

Midfield back Ranby has an ankle injury, and that opens the door for newcomer Tim McArthur, who has been in the province's B squad, to join the reserves.

On top of that, flying winger Randle was ruled out after injuring a hamstring at Waikato's final practice. He has been omitted from the party to travel south. Randle's place on the wing has gone to Damian Karauna.

Bruce Reihana is on the other wing, with Scott McLeod and Keith Lowen, both of whom passed fitness tests last night, paired in the midfield. It will be Reihana's 50th match for Waikato and he is back on the wing after starting at first five-eighths against North Harbour in last weekend's friendly.

Three Waikato players will make their NPC starting debuts at Carisbrook, fullback Grant McQuoid, and flankers Jonno Gibbes and Scott Couch.

Meanwhile, new Otago captain Kelvin Middleton said his side were out to prove that they would be competitive without their All Blacks.

Otago are missing loose forward pair Taine Randell and Josh Kronfeld, halfback pairing Tony Brown and Byron Kelleher, and the front-row combination of Kees Meeuws, Anton Oliver and Carl Hoeft.

In the last meetings between the sides, Otago won the NPC final at Carisbrook in 1998 and Waikato successfully defended the Ranfurly Shield last year.

- NZPA