Ilnicki and Larsen meet in Mitre 10 Cup

Canadian duo Jake Ilnicki and Josh Larsen will be on opposite sides of the field in the opening round of the Mitre 10 Cup. For both this will mark their debut in the New Zealand senior provincial competition. The pair have been named as reserves for their respective sides as Manawatu travel to Whangarei to play Northland at Toll Stadium on Friday. Kickoff is set for 7:35pm local time, 12:35am Pacific.

Test prop Ilnicki joined the Turbos last week and will act as a second-half replacement for giant Crusaders tighthead Michael Ala’alatoa in the opening match. A number of Super Rugby players adorn the strong Manawatu lineup, including Hurricanes centre Ngani Laumape and Highlanders versatile Highlanders back Jason Emery. Former New Zealand 7s rep Ambrose Curtis is on the wing, and Samoan international Kane Thompson starts at lock.

Former Canada u20 lock Larsen will also wait his turn on the bench, with New Zealand u20 standout Josh Goodhue preferred in the run-on side. Dynamic Blues flanker Kara Pryor is a notable up front, while another Baby Black, scrumhalf Sam Nock, and Crusaders winger Jone Macilai are in the backs. Tongan World Cup loose forward Jack Ram is also among the reserves.

MANAWATU TURBOS
1 Fraser Armstrong 2 Tim Cadwallader 3 Michael Ala’alatoa 4 Tom Parsons 5 Kane Thompson 6 Jackson Hemopo 7 Antonio Kirikiri 8 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (capt.) 9 Toby Morland 10 Sam Malcolm 11 Ambrose Curtis 12 Ngani Laumape 13 Hamish Northcott 14 Newton Tudreu 15 Jason Emery

16 Hunter Presctt 17 Tuki Raimona 18 Jake Ilnicki 19 Valentino Mapapalangi 20 Callum Gibbins 21 Jamie Booth 22 Otere Black 23 Curtis Reid

NORTHLAND TANIWHAS
1 Namatahi Wa’a 2 Matt Moulds (capt.) 3 Phil Kite 4 Josh Goodhue 5 Shane Neville 6 Michael Faleafa 7 Kara Pryor 8 Matt Matich 9 Sam Nock 10 Peter Breen 11 Jone Macilai 12 Jordan Hyland 13 Warren Dunn 14 Waisea Lawebuka 15 Solomon Alaimalo

16 Jordan Olsen 17 Matt Talaese 18 Howard Sililoto 19 Josh Larsen 20 Jack Ram 21 Malcolm MacLeod 22 Tamati Tua 23 Monty Lama