Getting the basics right and taking opportunities are key to Waikato's approach when they take on Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe this Saturday in week five of the Air New Zealand Cup.
Waikato coach Chris Gibbes said: "we need to get our basics right and nail the opportunities that we are creating. We know, and have shown, we can put teams under pressure and we are looking to build on that this week against Counties Manukau.
"Counties Manukau will be a formidable physical side and have the ability to hurt teams out wide. They are a high off-load and line break team and we need to be accurate defensively. Saturday afternoon is the opportunity for us to front physically and combat their strengths, while playing our game and getting things back on track."
Waikato All Blacks Brendon Leonard and Stephen Donald will form a tried and true combination at halfback and first-five eighth for the Mooloos. While hooker Aled de Malmanche will start in the front row alongside Hikairo Forbes and Nathan White.
In the loose forwards Alex Bradley, a specialist number eight from the Waikato Development team, will get a start combining with Matt Blain at number seven and captain Liam Messam on the blindside.
"Alex has shown good form through club rugby and early parts of the Development team's campaign. He gets an opportunity to start and is excited by the challenge ahead, I'm sure he will make the most of his opportunity to showcase his skills as a specialist number eight."
Meanwhile, in the backs Sosene Anesi moves from fullback to wing for this fixture with Trent Renata getting the nod to start in the number 15 jersey this week.
Waikato takes on Counties-Manukau in week five of the Air New Zealand Cup at Bayer Growers Stadium in Pukekohe on Saturday 29 August. Kick off is 2.35pm.
Callum Bruce is set to play his 18th game for Waikato which will see him earn his blazer. Tim Mikkelson, should he come off the bench during this Saturday's match, will also play his 18th cap and receive a blazer.
The Waikato team is
1. Hikairo Forbes 2. Aled de Malmanche 3. Nathan White 4. Romana Graham 5. Kevin O'Neill 6. Liam Messam (captain) 7. Matt Blain 8. Alex Bradley 9. Brendon Leonard 10. Stephen Donald 11. Dwayne Sweeney 12. Callum Bruce 13. Save Tokula 14. Sosene Anesi 15. Trent Renata
Reserves: 16. Vern Kamo 17. Ben May, 18. Toby Lynn, 19. Jordan Smiler, 20. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 21. Sam Christie, 22. Tim Mikkelson
The following were not considered for selection due to injury: loose forward Ray Allen (ankle) prop Kieran Ramage (shoulder), loose forward Jack Lam (leg) and loose forward Sione Lauaki (foot).
