Wellington Lions name side for home final against Bay of Plenty
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The Wellington Lions head into the NPC grand finale against Bay of Plenty this Saturday.
The boys have secured themselves a home final at Sky Stadium, after finishing top of the table, and it’s set to be a ripper of a game. The two sides last met in round seven of the regular season, with Wellington narrowly taking the win in Golden Point.
Wellington Lions Head Coach has named a formidable side to take on the Steamers.
No changes to the starting forward pack this week, after an impressive hit out against Waikato. With Penieli Poasa ruled out, Soakai has brought in seasoned hooker, Hika Elliot, as injury cover on the bench.
Jackson Garden-Bachop returns from injury at ten, with Jackson running out for his 100th match. Garden-Bachop will be the first Lions centurion since Tana Umaga achieved the feat in 2007. He lines up alongside Kyle Preston, fresh off the back of an incredible semi-final performance. Also back from injury, vice-captain Peter Umaga-Jensen pairs up with Riley Higgins in the midfield.
The Wellington Lions take on the Bay of Plenty Steamers in the grand final this Saturday, 26 October – kicking off at 3:05pm, Sky Stadium.
Wellington Lions side to take on Bay of Plenty:
- Xavier Numia – Oriental-Rongotai
- Leni Apisai – Paremata-Plimmerton
- Siale Lauaki – Tawa
- Hugo Plummer - Tawa
- Akira Ieremia - Tawa
- Caleb Delany – Old Boys University
- Du’Plessis Kirifi – C – Northern United
- Brad Shields – Petone
- Kyle Preston – Old Boys University
- Jackson Garden-Bachop – 100th – Northern United
- Losi Filipo - Petone
- Riley Higgins - Petone
- Peter Umaga-Jensen - Wainuiomata
- Julian Savea – Oriental-Rongotai
- Tjay Clarke - Petone
- Hika Elliot – South Canterbury
- Yota Kamimori – Stokes Valley
- Brad Chrichton – Northern United
- Filo Paulo – Hutt Old Boys Marist
- Sione Halalilo- Tawa
- Nui Muriwai - Waikato
- Callum Harkin – Old Boys University
- Stanley Solomon – Petone
Unavailable for selection:
Penieli Poasa, James O’Reilly, Pepesana Patafilo, Harry Press, PJ Sheck
Here are your final team lineups for the Bunnings NPC Final! 🔥
Who will take home the title?#BunningsNPCFinal
📺 Watch live on @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/NEwXuUnxbD
— Bunnings NPC (@BunningsNPC) October 24, 2024
