News

The PIC Steelers will be almost at full strength for their must-win Bunnings Warehouse NPC game against Manawatu at Navigation Homes Stadium on Saturday.

Reon Graham’s side needs to win their last two remaining matches to make the quarter-finals and will come up against the Turbos in their final home match of the season before embarking on a trip to Dunedin to play Otago next week.

Graham has been able to name regular starters James Thompson, Hoskins Sotutu, Liam Daniela and Riley Hohepa in his starting side after the foursome were either on the bench or missing last Sunday’s loss to Tasman.

Prop Lionel Evans is named to play his first game of the season off the bench while Nikolai Foliaki returns to the starting side after missing the past couple of games with injury.

The game kicks off at 2.05pm.

PIC Steelers: 1. Kauvaka Kaivelata, 2. Ian West-Stevens, 3. Suetena Asomua, 4. Jimmy Tupou, 5. James Thompson, 6. Maama Vaipulu, 7. Sean Reidy (capt), 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Liam Daniela, 10. Riley Hohepa, 11. Peniasi Malimali, 12. Nikolai Foliaki, 13. Tevita Ofa, 14. Joshua Gray, 15. Etene Nanai-Seturo. Reserves: Ioane Moananu, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Lionel Evans, William Furniss, Adam Brash, Cohen Brady-Leatham, Ahsee Tuala, Sione Molia.