Waikato Mitre 10 Cup Squad named

Waikato has announced a 32-man squad ahead of the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season.

This year’s squad will be captained by experienced midfielder Dwayne Sweeney, who has amassed a total of 78 games for the province. Sweeney is joined by other seasoned provincial campaigners Sam Christie (54), Adam Burn (34), Hame Faiva (34), Latu Talakai (33) and Zac Guildford (78). Guildford will don the Waikato colours for the first time but has played a total of 74 games in the national province competition. 

Other first year Waikato players likely to get their first Waikato cap this season include hooker Sekope Lopeti, midfield back Bailyn Sullivan and loose forwards Jahrome Brown and Luke Jacobson.

Waikato's 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season kicks off in New Plymouth against Taranaki on Saturday August 19, after two pre-season hit out; the first against Hawkes Bay in Taupo (August 4) and Bay of Plenty (August 12). The first home game of the Mitre 10 Cup is against Counties Manukau on Friday 25 August.