Revamped Harbour side out to slow down Turbos

11 September 2014

Head coach Steve Jackson’s made a whopping eight changes to his starting lineup to face Manawatu at QBE Stadium on Friday night.

Either Nic Mayhew or Sione Mafileo will replace Alex Woonton at tighthead prop, while Massey lock Gerard Tuioti-Mariner will earn his first cap, coming in for the injured Mike Farmer.

In the loose forward trio Jim Tuivaiti returns from a rib injury to wear the number eight jersey and Irwin Finau gets a chance in the starting XV at blindside flanker ahead of Jordan Manihera.

There’s four changes to the backline with two new faces in the five-eighths. Daniel Halangahu will make his second start of the season in the number ten jersey with the elusive Pita Ahki moving in from centre to second five.

The midfield switch makes way for Matt Vaega to make his debut for the province after originally being in Auckland’s wider training squad. Luke Devcich comes off the reserves to start on the left wing in what is his blazer game for the province.

There’s the potential for three debutants tomorrow night with flanker Josh Blucher on the bench.

QBE Harbour v Manawatu

1. Greg Pleasants Tate (Takapuna)

2. James Parsons (Takapuna)

3. Nic Mayhew or Sione Mafileo (Northcote/North Shore)

4. Gerard Tuioti-Mariner (Massey)

5. Hayden Triggs (North Shore)

6. Irwin Finau (Mahurangi)

7. Zak Judge (East Coast Bays)

8. Jim Tuivaiti (Western)

9. Bryn Hall © (Northcote)

10. Daniel Halangahu (Takapuna)

11. Luke Devcich (Marist)

12. Pita Ahki (Massey)

13. Matt Vaega

14. David Raikuna (Massey)

15. Robbie Robinson (Glenfield)

Injured: Ben Afeaki, James Doyle, Mike Farmer, Michael Little, Brandon Nansen, Marty Swart, Nafi Tuitavake, Chris Vui.