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Steelers coaches Darryl Suasua, Grant Henson and Semo Sititi have named their team to take on the Wellington Lions at ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe on Friday night at 7:45pm.

Both sides are proud to be playing for the inaugural Jonah Lomu Memorial Trophy and the Counties Manukau Steelers will be wearing special edition jerseys that are based on those that were worn by Jonah and his team mates in the 1990’s.

There is just the one change to the starting 15 that defeated Hawke’s Bay last Thursday night, with Suliasi Taufalele replacing Gafatasi Su’a at starting hooker. On the bench, Jarred Adams comes in for Sean Paranihi, while loose forward Matt Va’ai is in line to make his Steelers debut off the pine.

Coach Darryl Suasua said it will be exciting to be part of such a special occasion on Friday night, where people will come together to celebrate the life of Jonah Lomu.

“The boys can’t wait for the match and they have been referring to Jonah as ‘ours’ throughout the week. He was born and bred in South Auckland, he grew up here and went to Wesley College and while he did venture around the world and became a global superstar, this was his home.

“We have done a lot of homework on Wellington this week. They are big and physical and they like to beat teams up. They have strike power all over the field, so obviously they are going to bring it, but our boys will make sure to bring it as well to match them.”

The unbeaten Counties Manukau Heat take on Wellington in their Farah Palmer Cup fixture at 5:05pm as the curtain raiser at ECOLight Stadium. Gates open at 4:30pm on Friday afternoon. Tickets are available for purchase at the CMRFU Office at ECOLight Stadium during office hours (Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm) or at www.iticket.co.nz or at the Gate on game day. In the Grandstand, Adults cost $20, students $15 and Kids $10. Kids 13 & Under are FREE on the South Auckland Motors Embankment thanks to Pak ‘n’ Save Pukekohe.

Steelers team to face Wellington on Friday 9 September:

1.       Sean Bagshaw

2.       Suliasi Taufalele

3.       Kalolo Tuiloma

4.       Matiaha Martin

5.       Viliame Rarasea

6.       Jimmy Tupou ©

7.       Jordan Taufua

8.       Sootala Fa’aso’o

9.       Augustine Pulu ©

10.   Piers Francis

11.   Sherwin Stowers

12.   Cardiff Vaega

13.   Sam Vaka

14.   Sione Molia

15.   Luteru Laulala

16.   Gafatasi Su’a

17.   Sione Faletau

18.   Jarred Adams

19.   Matt Va’ai *

20.   Viliami Taulani

21.   Richard Judd

22.   Joe Reynolds

23.   Sione Fifita

*Steelers debut

Richard Spranger - Photo Credit