Sivivatu to play in final

DISCARDED ALL Blacks wing Sitiveni Sivivatu will be hoping to end his New Zealand career on a high when Waikato plays Canterbury in tomorrow’s ITM Cup Premiership final in Hamilton.

The match also doubles as the last for Bath-bound first five Stephen Donald.

Sivivatu, who will link up with French Top 14 outfit Clermont, has been named on the bench for the match at Waikato Stadium, coach Chris Gibbes preferring to stick with Tim Mikkelson and Henry Speight on the wings.

Overall, there is just once change to the run-on XV, with Sam Christie replacing the injured Save Tokula in the midfield. Jackson Willison moves from second five to centre as a result of that change.

Waikato earned the right to host the final following a bonus-point 26-19 victory over rivals Auckland last weekend.

The Mooloos will be looking for revenge, after losing last year’s competition decider against Canterbury 33-13 in Christchurch.

“This is the big one for us and what we have been working towards all season. We have done the work and prepared the best we can. It is time to play,” says Gibbes.

Waikato: Trent Renata, Henry Speight, Jackson Willison, Sam Christie, Tim Mikkelson, Stephen Donald, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Alex Bradley, Marty Holah, Liam Messam, Romana Graham, Toby Lynn, Nathan White, Marcel Cummings-Toone, Toby Smith
Reserves: Vance Elliott, Ben May, Matt Vant Leven Zak Hohneck, Brendon Leonard, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Declan O'Donnell, Ted Tauroa