News

Coach Reon Graham has rewarded the majority of the side that defeated Bay of Plenty in Tauranga last Sunday by naming them in the PIC Steelers side to face North Harbour at Albany on Sunday.

All Blacks Hoskins Sotutu and Nepo Laulala are named after being released by the All Blacks coaching staff to play NPC rugby this week. Sotutu starts at number eight while Laulala will come off the bench to add impact in the front row.

AJ Alatimu starts at second five after a strong game off the bench last week in the only other change to the starting side.

Irish international Sean Reidy is back on the bench after missing the Bay of Plenty game due to injury while winger Ahsee Tuala has been named on the bench after returning from injury.

It will be a special occasion on Sunday with the game coinciding Father’s Day, with a number of PIC Steelers players playing in front of their children.

Patumahoe utility back Nua Soti will make his debut should he get onto the field.

The game kicks off at 2.05pm.

PIC Steelers v North Harbour: 1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2. Penisoni Fineanganofo, 3. Sekope Kepu (capt), 4. William Furniss, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Alex McRobbie, 7. Adam Brash, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Cameron Roigard, 10. Riley Hohepa, 11. Peniasi Malimali, 12. AJ Alatimu, 13. Nikolai Foliaki, 14. Tevita Ofa, 15. Jared Page. Reserves: 16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Mark Royal, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Setefano Leavasa, 20. Sean Reidy, 21. Jonathan Taumateine, 22. Ahsee Tuala, 23. Nua Soti.