Tavuyara back for Waikato
Zac Guildford’s hamstring injury is nothing serious but means Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara returns to Waikato’s right wing against Wellington.
The Mooloos realistically must win tomorrow’s Mitre 10 Cup clash to keep their fading premiership finals hopes alive against the redhot Lions, who just smashed perennial provincial champions Canterbury 60-14.
Tavuyara and loosehead prop Ayden Johnstone are the only changes to Waikato’s squad that collapsed to lose 23-10 to Manawatu in an odd encounter last Saturday.
But there are six new starters, including tighthead Atu Moli and Johnstone, as Waikato wait on the fitness of Guildford, Dwayne Sweeney (groin) and Jacob Skeen (neck).
Waikato coach Sean Botherway said those three would hopefully be in contention for next week’s Ranfurly Shield challenge in Canterbury.
Guildford was diagnosed with just a hamstring strain after limping off during the second half against Manawatu as Waikato suffered their third straight defeat.
‘‘We were disappointed in a number of areas but we just have to get back to working a lot harder in the middle of the field and creating some momentum, building pressure, holding on to the ball for longer that will enable us to create some opportunities for our backs,’’ Botherway said.
Tavuyara was omitted from the 23 the Turbos turned over after playing 80 minutes in each loss to Northland (7-37) and Tasman (29-31).
The 27-year-old Fijian winger is yet to reach the heights of his maiden Mooloos season, in 2016, when he finished top of Waikato’s try-scoring charts with seven during their provincial campaign.
The emergence of Tyler Campbell on Waikato’s wings put Tavuyara’s starting place under threat and he’s been a peripheral figure this season but for one outstanding offload for Loni Uhila’s try against Tasman.
Tavuyara briefly joined up with French Top 14 club Bordeaux Be`gles earlier this year to play for their development side and train full-time with the first team.
He hasn’t found the line for Waikato in five appearances (four starts) in 2017 but Guildford’s injury opens the door again.
James Tucker will be Waikato’s fourth captain this season - after Sweeney, Skeen and Adam Burn - as Jordan Manihera returns at No 8 in place of Burn, who was skipper against Manawatu.
Pele Cowley is back as starting halfback ahead of Harrison Levien and Bailyn Sullivan shifts from right wing to centre with Campbell at fullback.
Centre Pita Ahki drops to the bench after starting against Mana- watu and Northland; meaning Tevita Taufui and Sullivan combine in the midfield again after wearing 12 and 13 in Waikato’s last victory in Auckland (35-27) in August.
Johnstone and Moli replace Loni Uhila and Sefo Kautai as starting props and Latu Talakai drops out.
Waikato are a fifth with a record of won two, lost four having played a game more than North Harbour, Taranaki and Tasman, who are placed second, third and fourth respectively.
No province has ever made the premiership semifinals with five losses since the national provincial competition was reformed in 2011, so the Mooloos really must beat championship leaders Wellington at FMG Stadium Waikato.
The Lions boast All Blacks winger Julian Savea and freakishly talented hooker Asafo Aumua among their ranks, as well as former Waikato under-19s and Fraser Tech openside flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi, who signed a two-year contract with Wellington in August.