News

Jonathan Kawau comes into the starting side while Viliami Taulani shifts to number eight to replace Kieran Read as the Counties Manukau PIC Steelers name their side to play North Harbour on Saturday.

The PIC Steelers will look for successive road wins when they square off against their Premiership rivals at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday afternoon but will be without the inspirational Read, who has finished his Mitre 10 Cup cameo before heading back to Japan.

Taulani has been impressive in recent weeks and will get his hands on the ball more at number eight while the experienced Kawau starts at blindside.

All Blacks sevens star Sione Molia is back at centre for this game while fellow sevens ace Etene Nanai-Seturo is back starting at fullback.

Lock Sam Slade will play his blazer game for the Union.

The PIC Steelers recorded a victory over Taranaki in Inglewood last weekend – their second of the Mitre 10 Cup campaign so far – and need to win Saturday’s game and their final round robin match back home at Navigation Homes Stadium against Southland to have any chance of making the Championship semi-finals.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 4.35pm.

PIC STEELERS: 1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2. Donald Maka, 3. Suetena Asomua, 4. Sam Slade, 5. Matiaha Martin, 6. Jonathan Kawau, 7. Alamanda Motuga, 8. Viliami Taulani, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Jason Robertson, 11. Sione Fifita, 12. Orbyn Leger (capt), 13. Sione Molia, 14. Kirisi Kuridrani, 15. Etene Nanai-Seturo. Reserves: Zuriel Togiatama, Clinton Malolua, Conan O’Donnell, Viliame Rarasea, Dylan Leckner, Cameron Roigard, Kalione Hala, Luteru Laulala.