Wellington are winless in this season's NPC and are on a lengthy losing streak. Waikato must win to remain in the hunt to reach the quarter-finals.
Key Stats - Wellington 10 Defeats in a Row
- Waikato have won 5 of their last 10 fixtures.
- Wellington have lost 10 consecutive games.
- Wellington have lost 5 consecutive home matches.
Wellington Hold Historic Advantage
Wellington have the advantage over Waikato, with ten victories to six in 16 meetings in the National Provincial Championship.
Wellington Horrid Season to Continue
Wellington scored two converted tries in the first half against Northland last weekend, but went into the break trailing 19-15.
The Wellington Lions added two converted tries in the second half, but leaked too many points, losing 52-28 to Northland at home.
Before that result, Wellington lost 52-33 to Hawke's Bay at home, 34-31 away to Auckland, 47-7 to North Harbour at home, 61-22 away to Otago, 46-35 to Counties Manukau at home, 42-28 away to Tasman, and 66-19 away to Canterbury.
The Lions are last in the NPC standings with six points after eight rounds.
Wellington have found the going tough this season, having failed to win a single fixture while being on a five-match losing streak at home. Can they find a way to emerge victorious?
Waikato Inconsistent but too good for Wellington
Waikato scored two tries and a conversion in the first half against Manawatu last weekend, but went into the tunnel trailing 21-12 at half-time.
The home side improved in the second stanza, scoring three converted tries and a penalty to secure a 36-27 home win over Manawatu.
Earlier in their campaign, the Mooloos defeated Bay of Plenty 38-26 at home and Taranaki 38-32 away, lost 32-31 away to Southland, thrashed Counties Manukau 45-12 before losing 43-38 to Otago away, 36-14 to Canterbury at home, and 34-17 away to Northland.
Waikato are seventh in the National Provincial Championship table with 24 points from eight matches.
Waikato will fancy their chances of securing all the points on offer to keep their hopes of reaching the play-offs alive, as Wellington have been out of sorts lately, losing all eight of their fixtures this season.
Starting Lineups
Wellington
Du'Plessis Kirifi scored a brace against Northland last weekend.
Matolu Petaia and Stanley Solomon each scored a try in the match, while Callum Harkin slotted all four conversions.
Starting XV: Jake Turnbull, James O’Reilly, Siale Lauaki, Matolu Petaia, Hugo Plummer, Dominic Ropeti, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Rupeni Raviyawa, Logan Henry, Stanley Solomon, William Davis, Losi Filipo, Matt Proctor, Jackson Ropata, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Penieli Poasa, Sekope Lopeti-Moli, Alex Hewitt, Kenkichi Yanagawa, Murphy Taramai, Riley Williams, Cameron Burgess, Reo Matsushita
Waikato
Senita Lauaki, Sean Ralph, Mitch Jacobson, Taha Kemara, and Hamilton Burr each scored a try against Manawatu last weekend.
Taha Kemara kicked over four conversions and a penalty in the match.
Starting XV: Mason Tupaea, Sean Ralph, Sefo Kautai, Dylan Eti, Hamilton Burr, Jahrome Brown, Oli Mathis, Senita Lauaki, Cortez Ratima, Taha Kemara, Nathan Stephens, Austin Anderson, David Lewai, Waisake Salabiau, Dallas Rata Makene
Replacements: Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, Taipari Quinn, George Dyer, Andrew Smith, Mitch Jakobson, Daiki Naka-Jima, D’Angelo Leuila, Aki Tuivailala