News

PIC Counties Manukau Steelers will look to get their season back on track when they host Hawkes Bay in their Mitre 10 Cup match at ECOLight Stadium in Pukekohe on Sunday.

Bombay club prop Coree Te Whata-Colley gets his first start for the PIC Steelers, after coming off the bench for the first five games in his debut year for the province.

There is a hard-working look to the side that play their third game in 11 days, coming home after their one-sided venture against Canterbury in Christchurch mid-week.

Joe Royal comes back in to start at hooker, with Ronald Raaymakers to form an uncompromising middle row with co-captain Jimmy Tupou. This allows for an exciting and hard-running loose forward trio of Johnathan Kawau, Fotu Lokotui and Sam Henwood, who has been the standout player this season.

The young midfielders Orbyn Leger and Sam Furniss resume their partnership with Stephen Donald injured, while the hard-running Tevita Nabura returns to the wing and Tim Nanai-Williams has his first start this season in his preferred fullback role.

The PIC Steelers meet Hawkes Bay at ECOLight Stadium on Sunday at 2.35pm.

The PIC Steelers team is: 1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. Joe Royal, 3. Coree Te Whata-Colley, 4. Ronald Raaymakers, 5. Jimmy Tupou ©, 6. Johnathan Kawau, 7. Fotu Lokotui, 8. Sam Henwood; 9. Augustine Pulu ©,10. Baden Kerr, 11.Tevita Nabura, 12. Orbyn Leger, 13. Sam Furniss, 14. Nigel Ah Wong, 15. Tim Nanai-Williams.

Reserves: Forwards: 16. Gafatasi Su'a, 17. Sean Bagshaw, 18. Kalolo Tuiloma, 19. Viliame Rarasea 20. Leroy Jack, 21. Jonathan Taumateine, 22. Albert Nikoro, 23. Luteru Laulala.

Not considered because of injury: Stephen Donald, Glen Fisi’iahi, and Mat Vaai.

DETAILS: www.steelers.co.nz

BE PART OF THE STEELERS

Kids 13 and under will be FREE on the South Auckland Motors embankment thanks to Pak n Save Pukekohe. Match day Grandstand tickets are $20 for adult Grandstand, $15 for Students with ID and $10 for kids. South Auckland Motors embankment tickets are $10 for adult and $7 for students with ID. Individual tickets to the match are available from CMRFU office, the gate on game day or www.iticket.co.nz.

Corporate hospitality is available for all home fixtures. Season Memberships are on sale from only $50 for a South Auckland Motors Embankment membership or $100 for a Grandstand Membership for an adult and $50 for a child. Memberships are available from CMRFU office and www.steelers.co.nz or www.iticket.co.nz. For any enquiries phone 09 2370033.

NOTE: Patrons on the embankment Umbrellas are allowed to bring umbrellas – please show respect in their usage if wet conditions.