Brumbies playmaker Christian Leali'ifano will make his Waikato rugby debut at fullback in a pre-season match against Auckland in Hamilton on Thursday.

Waikato coach Chris Gibbes today named Auckland-born Leali'ifano in the No 15 jersey, with Trent Renata at five-eighth.

The 22-year-old was signed in May for a one-off campaign with Waikato in the New Zealand national championship which kicks off on July 29.

Leali'ifano played six Super 14 matches for the Brumbies this season before he was sidelined after rupturing the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

Players not considered for Waikato selection for Thursday's match - due to recent All Blacks, New Zealand Maori or New Zealand Under-20 duties - include Mils Muliaina, Richard Kahui, Liam Messam, Dwayne Sweeney, Jackson Willison, Aled de Malmanche, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Rory Grice.

Waikato: Christian Leali'ifano, Frank Halai, Save Tokula, Chauncey Edwardson, Henry Speight, Trent Renata, David Bason, Alex Bradley, Jono Armstrong, Jordan Smiler, Toby Lynn, Romana Graham, Nathan White, Hikairo Forbes, Toby Smith. Reserves: Sean Muir, Latu Talakai, Murray Iti, Josh Olsen, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Adam Cathcart, Steven Setephano, Luke Parsons, Sam Christie, Tim Mikkleson, Dylan Collier, Declan O'Donnell.

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