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Waikato’s 2018 Mitre 10 Cup campaign features five matches at the province’s home ground, FMG Stadium Waikato.

After a narrow loss to Manawatu in the opening round last weekend, the first home game at FMG Stadium Waikato is against North Harbour on Saturday 25 August.

Over the course of the competition, the Waikato side will play Wellington (5 September), Hawkes Bay (13 September), Southland (29 September) and Otago (13 October) on its home turf.

Waikato’s 37-man squad features nine new faces: Earlier this year Fletcher Smith, Jack Stratton and Quinn Tupaea were announced as signing to the squad. They are joined by first year Waikato players including former Bay of Plenty and Sunwolves player Timothy Bond (lock), Bayleys National Sevens Player of the Tournament, Jordan Bunce (fullback), the Otorohanga duo of Haereiti Hetet (prop) and Mosese Dawai (outside back), University of Waikato: Waikato Under 19’s player Niven Longopoa (outside back) and Wellington loan player Pepesana Patafilo (midfield back).

Returning to the province to add to their provincial caps are players Toby Smith (prop), Michael Mayhew (hooker), Jono Armstrong (loose forward), Murray Iti (loose forward) and brothers Declan O’Donnell (outside back) and Kylem O’Donell (halfback).

For the first time in Waikato’s long proud history the squad features two sets of brothers as Declan and Kylem O’Donnell join Jacobson brothers, Luke and Mitch. The Jacobson brothers were the first set of brothers to play in the same side for the province in 24 years since the Coventry’s back in 1994.

A bulk of the Waikato squad has been selected off their strong performances from the recently concluded Waikato Club Rugby competition, says Waikato Head Coach Jono Gibbes. “The strong club competition this season has helped prepare the players for the upcoming campaign. The player’s energy levels are high and we need to sustain this level in this high pressure competition.

“The challenge for us and our playing style is to reflect the core values of the province, its supporters and sponsors.” Mr Gibbes says.

Among the 37-man squad are 10 full-time Super Rugby players and two current All Blacks representatives,  Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown, who will have limited game time due to International commitments.

Waikato has confirmed that the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup campaign will be led by co-captains Luke Jacobson and Dwayne Sweeney.

“Naming Luke and Dwayne as co-captains was an obvious choice, as they both display natural leadership qualities and epitomise what our team are about. Luke is the next generation of leaders coming through the ranks while Dwayne represents the proud history of the province and is our most experienced player. He displays each day a calmness about him that is shown on and off the field.

“We believe the two players have the respect of the entire squad and their leadership qualities will complement each other.”

Sweeney, 34, is the most experience player in the squad; he first made his debut for Waikato in 2002 and played for eight seasons amassing a total of 78 caps and 100 points before moving to Japan. He returned last season to captain the side during the 2017 campaign.

Jacobson, 21, is born and breed in the Waikato and is a young player on the raise. After captaining both the University of Waikato: Waikato Under 19s and the New Zealand Under 20s side to tournament victories, he was swiftly signed by both Waikato and the Chiefs. Jacobson made his debut for Waikato against Taranaki last season and quickly became a regular starter featuring in all ten games during their 2017 campaign.

Both Jacobson and Sweeney were born and breed in the Waikato and have a lot of pride in the colours, the jersey and the province.

Check out the Waikato Rugby Union website

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