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