Waldrom to start at No. 8 in Friday's NPC pre-season match

Avalon Wolves stalwart Thomas Waldrom will play his first rugby match back in New Zealand since 2010 after he was named to start at No 8 for a Wellington XV when they meet Auckland at Evans Bay Park on Friday afternoon.

Waldrom played the last of his 80 matches for Wellington in 2009 before heading to the United Kingdom.

He is the most experienced player named by Wellington Lions coach Chris Gibbes for Friday's NPC pre-season match.

Players involved in Saturday's Jubilee Cup final between Northern United and Old Boys University were not considered to face Auckland.

Pasi Uluilakepa, Mateaki Kafatolu, Losi Filipo, Bruce Kauika-Peterson, James Blackwell, Carlos Price and James Blackwell (all Petone) and TJ Va'a (Wainuiomata) are all playing.

These players are expected to see limited game time and still be available for their clubs on Saturday in the Hardham Cup final.

Gibbes said Friday's match was a good opportunity for the players not involved in club finals to get into representative mode against what was expected to be quality opposition.

Friday's fixture would be one of just two pre-season matches the Wellington coaching staff have to prepare for their opening NPC game against Otago on Sunday, August 16 at Wellington's Westpac Stadium with the squad also due to meet Tasman next week in Blenheim.

Kick-off at Evans Bay Park is 2pm.

The Wellington XV to meet Auckland is:

15 Andrew Wells (Marist St Pats)
14 Losi Filipo (Petone)
13 Billy Proctor (Marist St Pats)
12 Isaia Petelo (Marist St Pats)
11 Ollie Sapsford (Wellington)
10 Trent Renata (Oriental-Rongotai)
9 Ken Kapeli (Marist St Pats)
8 Thomas Waldrom (Avalon)
7 Greg Foe (Poneke)
6 Mateaki Kafatolu (Petone)
5 Alex Dalzell (Wellington)
4 Josh To'omaga (Marist St Pats)
3 Pasi Uluilakepa (Petone)
2 Joe Walding-Karaitiana (Marist St Pats)
1 Tolu Fahamokioa (Tawa)

Reserves

16 Sitiveni Paongo (Tawa)
17 Bruce Kauika-Peterson (Petone)
18 Tietie Tuimauga (Johnsonville)
19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Marist St Pats)
20 Galu Taufale (Poneke)
21 James Blackwell (Petone)
22 Carlos Price (Petone)
23 TJ Va'a (Wainuiomata)
24 Malachai Unasa (Oriental-Rongotai)
25 Todd Svenson (Upper Hutt Rams)