Guildford to make debut for Mooloos
would be able to handle his return to first class rugby without any problems.
The depth in some positions Taranaki enjoy was evident by the fact Cooper could leave the likes of Crusaders wing Manasa Mataele, Chiefs midfielder Johnny Fa’auli and Hurricanes halfback Kylem O’Donnell out the match-day squad, although they have had little rugby of late and Cooper said they would play for the union’s development side on Saturday.
‘‘It’s a long season and a few of them have little dings to get over,’’ he said.
Cooper has resisted the temptation of bringing Crusaders wing Seta Tamanivalu back into the midfield to reunite the potent part- nership with co-captain Charlie Ngatai, instead opting for Sean Wainui at centre with Tamanivalu wearing the No 11 jersey.
He felt Tamanivalu and Ngatai were not far away from All Blacks selection if they had injuries so he wanted to use them while he could.
The selection of Wainui gives Taranaki plenty of size and power through the middle and down the side of the field with Ngatai a key figure in creating something for either man.
Young Blues pivot Stephen Perofeta has got the nod at first five-eighth with Cooper’s other option, Marty McKenzie, starting at fullback. Perofeta has been in excellent form and undoubtedly deserved first crack.
The forward pack, too, was largely predictable with Pita-Gus Powakula to make his debut from blindside flanker with Toa Halafihi starting at No 8.
Former Blues and Waratahs prop Angus Ta’avao has been selected ahead of Mike Kainga at tighthead with the latter named on the bench.
Stratford-Eltham hooker Donald Maka will make his debut along with former Waikato loose forward Brad Tucker and halfback Logan Crowley if they come off the bench.
Cooper said guys like Graham and Ta’avao had provided a lot of positive leadership to the more inexperienced players in the short time they had been together. Zac Guildford wants his actions to speak louder than words on his Waikato debut.
The former All Black starts at fullback against Taranaki as Waikato’s Mitre 10 Cup campaign begins on the road at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth on Saturday.
Guildford admits playing in New Zealand’s premier provincial competition was never in his thoughts during his darker days ‘‘a little while ago’’, but the 28-yearold will at last wear the Mooloos jersey after signing in June.
Waikato coach Sean Botherway includes Guildford as one of three debutants in his squad for the season opener down State Highway Three after positive friendly victories over Hawke’s Bay (57-7) and Bay of Plenty (31-21).
The other two new Mooloos are recent Chiefs signing Luke Jacobson, captain of New Zealand’s world champion under-20s, and 18-year-old centre Bailyn Sullivan, who is tasked with marking Taranaki and Chiefs midfielder Charlie Ngatai on his provincial debut.
The average age of Waikato’s entire squad is around 23 and Guildford, an 11-cap All Black with 86 Super Rugby caps, is one of their more experienced heads keen to mentor the young guns still finding their feet in the game.
It’s a role Guildford wouldn’t have anticipated when his career was in tatters after leaving the Waratahs due to more off-field issues last June, but returning home to represent Wairarapa Bush before playing sevens and club rugby in Waikato has changed all that.
‘‘I try and add my value in terms of experience but just concentrating on my job makes it easier for me. I guess my actions speak louder than words on the field,’’ Guildford said.
Guildford lines up in Waikato’s back three with two Fijian flyers on each wing with Reece on his left; Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara on his right.
It’s a combination that helped Hamilton Old Boys win this season’s Waikato club title for the first time since 2005.
Dwayne Sweeney captains Waikato at second five-eighth with Botherway opting for Sullivan, who turns 19 in September, to complete their midfield pairing.
It’s quite the leap for Sullivan to be starting in his first year in Waikato after impressing for Hamilton Marist in club rugby.
The former Kings College student originally from Hawke’s Bay gets an opportunity with former Blues centre Pita Ahki, who’s been with the Hurricanes since 2016, sidelined with a knee injury after signing on for this season from North Harbour.
Chiefs prop Atu Moli is still nursing a foot injury after being part of an All Blacks training camp and Loni Uhila has been given another week before being considered after recently joining the squad from the Hurricanes.
James Tucker is back in Waikato colours at No 8 after suffering an ACL injury against North Harbour last August, while young hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho could make his Mitre 10 Cup debut off the bench.