Five players are in-line to make their debut when the Counties Manukau Steelers open their 2024 Bunnings Warehouse NPC campaign against Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium on Friday night.
Coach Reon Graham has rewarded club form in naming his first team of the year with Pukekohe skipper Leo Ngatai-Tafau and Patumahoe backs Gibson Popoali’i and Simon-Peter Toleafoa named in the run-on 15.
Ngatai-Tafau starts at blindside flanker alongside Bombay’s Adam Brash and All Blacks number eight Hoskins Sotutu in a mobile back row.
Graham has opted for his most experienced tight five – all five with Super Rugby experience - Kauvaka Kaivelata, Zuriel Togiatama and Suetena Asomua in the front row with Jimmy Tupou and James Thompson at lock.
Liam Daniela and Riley Hohepa form the inside back combination while Popoali’i starts at second five alongside Blake Makiri in the midfield.
Peniasi Malimali and Josh Gray give the side try scoring ability out wide, while Toleafoa caps a terrific club season by making his debut at fullback with Etene Nanai-Seturo out injured.
Karaka’s Sateki Latu and Cam Church are set to make their debuts off the bench.
The game kicks off at 5.35pm in New Plymouth.
Steelers team to face Taranaki: 1. Kauvaka Kaivelata, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Suetena Asomua, 4. Jimmy Tupou, 5. James Thompson, 6. Leo Ngatai-Tafau, 7. Adam Brash, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Liam Daniela, 10. Riley Hohepa, 11. Peniasi Malimali, 12. Gibson Popoali’i, 13. Blake Makiri, 14. Joshua Gray, 15. Simon-Peter Toleafoa. Reserves: Ian West-Stevens, Sateki Latu, Keran van Staden, William Furniss, Cameron Church, Alamanda Motuga, Jonathan Taumateine, Kalione Hala.
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