Stewart and Waitokia co-captains for preseason match
on Friday, 21 August 2020. Posted in Turbos News
Manawatū’s young guns will get a chnace to shine in the Turbos’ first preseason match of the 2020 season.
Hooker Sam Stewart and fullback Te Rangatira Waitokia will co-captain the side in their match at Cooks Garden in Wanganui.
There will be no spectators at the ground due to COVID-19 restricts, but the match will be live streamed and shared to the Turbos’ Facebook page.
With Super Rugby players still a week away from returning to the mix, it will be a top opportunity for younger players to stamp their mark.
Up front, Tietie Tuimauga and Kyle Stewart have nbeen named at prop with Solomona Sakalia and Paulo Leleisiuao, who recently cleared his quarentine period having returned to New Zealand, will come of the bench.
Sam Stewart will be backed up by Tongan international Siua Maile.
At lock Micaiah Torrance-Read will be joined by wider squad member Sam Liebezeit with academy pairing Julian Goerke and Ofa Tauatevalu on the bench. Also on the bench is Tom Hughes, ready for his first match since ruptering his achillies tendon last year.
TK Howden will pack down on the side of the scrum along with Johnny Galloway with exciting prospect Tyler Laubscher at No 8 with Jason Myers on the bench.
With Aaron Smith and Jamie Booth unavailable, Bryn Wilson will get a crack at halfback where he is battling Griffin Culver for the third-string halfback role.
Stewart Cruden gets the nod at first five-eighth with Ben Wyness on the bench.
Midfield paring James Tofa and Josiah Maraku will be looking to get plenty of ball to lightning quick outside back trio of Newton Tudreu, Adam Boult and Waitokia.
Backline cover on the bench is Ben Werthmuller and Drew Wild.
2. Sam Stewart
3. Kyle Stewart
4. Micaiah Torrance-Read
5. Sam Liebezeit
6. TK Howden
7. Johnny Galloway
8. Tyler Laubscher
9. Bryn Wilson
10. Stewart Cruden
11. Adam Boult
12. James Tofa
13. Josiah Maraku
14. Newton Tudreu
15. Te Rangatira Waitokia
16. Siua Maile
17. Solomona Sakalia
18. Paulo Leleisiuao
19. Ofa Tauatevalu
20. Julian Goerke
21. Griffin Culver
22. Ben Wyness
23. Drew Wild
24. Tom Hughes
25. Jason Myers
26. Ben Werthmuller