Waikato team announced to play Taranaki

Waikato has made eight changes to their starting line up for Wednesday night's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium (kick-off 7.35pm).

In the front row Toby Smith and Marcel Cummings-Toone make a return from injury, as does Romana Graham at lock.

Loose forward Matt Vant Leven is also back after missing the Tasman match.

There is a change to the halves combination with Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Sam Christie in to the starting lineup at halfback and first five respectively.

Tim Mikkelson returns to the wing and Trent Renata is back in the number 15 jersey.

Waikato coach Chris Gibbes said his team is preparing well for the shield challenge.

"We showed a lot of character in our win over Tasman and we will take confidence from that performance into this game," Gibbes said.

Waikato will be hoping to write another chapter in their proud Ranfurly Shield history on Wednesday night.

"Ranfurly Shield games are easy to get motivated for and the players are all excited about the opportunity," Gibbes said.

"This is Waikato's first crack at the shield since 2007 so we are itching to get down to New Plymouth and get stuck in."

The Waikato team to play Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth this Wednesday (kick-off 7.35pm) is:

1.    Toby Smith (Hamilton Old Boys)

2.    Marcel Cummings-Toone (University)

3.    Ben May (Te Awamutu Sports)

4.    Romana Graham (Hautapu)

5.    Sam Kilgour (Hautapu)

6.    Matt Vant Leven (Fraser Tech)

7.    Zak Hohneck (Otorohanga)

8.    Alex Bradley [captain] (Morrinsville Sports)

9.    Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Hautapu)

10.  Sam Christie (Fraser Tech)

11.  Tim Mikkelson (University)

12.  Jackson Willison (Otorohanga)

13.  Save Tokula (Fraser Tech)

14.  Declan O'Donnell (Melville)

15.  Trent Renata (University)

16.  Vance Elliott (Hamilton Old Boys)

17.  Latu Talakai (Fraser Tech) / Ted Tauroa (Otorohanga)

18.  Anthony Wise (Otorohanga)

19.  Rory Grice (Otorohanga)

20.  Brendon Leonard (Morrinsville Sports)

21.  Piers Francis (Hamilton Marist)

22.  Joe Webber (Hamilton Marist)

-www.mooloo.co.nz