A star-studded backline and a host of rookies are features of the Waikato squad named on Monday for the national provincial rugby championship.

Chiefs standouts Damian McKenzie, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Anton Lienert-Brown and veteran Stephen Donald are part of the 30-man squad, which features 10 players in their first season with the province. Kerr-Barlow was the only Waikato player named on Monday in the All Blacks squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship.

Among the new faces are four players with plenty of first class experience - Hurricanes midfield back Willis Halaholo, former North Harbour and Blues Development Number 8 Jordan Manihera, former Canterbury and Crusaders utility back Nathaniel Apa, and Samoan international halfback Pele Cowley.

PHOTOSPORT Willis Halaholo of the Hurricanes is a newcomer to the Waikato side this season.

Other first year Waikato players are hooker Steven Misa, prop Sefo Kautai, lock/loose forward Leva Fifita, midfield back Tevita Taufui, and wings Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara and Sevu Reece.

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Seven of them have made their Waikato debuts during pre-season Ranfurly Shield fixtures with Manihera, Halaholo and Fifita the only three in the squad who remain uncapped.

The squad features 10 Super Rugby players - McKenzie, Kerr-Barlow, Lienert-Brown, Donald, Atu Moli, James Tucker and Shaun Stevenson, Hurricanes Loni Uhila and Halaholo, and Jordan Trainor from the Blues.

The return of halfback Isaac Boss and five-eighth Sam Christie from playing stints in Europe will add further experience to the backline, while prop Latu Talakai and lock Brian Alainu'uese return after missing the last two seasons.

Hooker Hame Faiva and loose forwards Adam Burn and Whetu Douglas are experience Waikato players, while lock Jacob Skeen, loose forward Mitch Jacobson and halfback Harrison Levien have made their mark over the past two seasons.

"The squad is well balanced and heavier in experience than previous years," Waikato head coach Sean Botherway said.

"Our Super Rugby players have all had very good seasons and we look forward to them returning in the coming weeks.

"Ranfurly Shield rugby has given our early season work plenty of substance and excitement, and we are looking forward to the remainder of our pre-season as we build up to what will be a very competitive Cup campaign."

Waikato's Cup season kicks off in Blenheim against Tasman on Sunday 21 August, after a Ranfurly Shield challenge on Saturday against Wanganui and a pre-season match versus Taranaki on Friday 12 August. The first home game of the Cup is against North Harbour on Saturday 27 August.

2016 Waikato Cup Squad (Waikato appearances in brackets):

Forwards: Loni Uhila (17) Hamilton Marist, Latu Talakai (22) Fraser Tech, Hame Faiva (23) University, Steven Misa (1) Hamilton Marist, Atu Moli (7) University, Tau Koloamatangi (7) University, Sefo Kautai (1) Hamilton Marist, James Tucker (9) Hamilton Marist, Brian Alainu'uese (9) University, Jacob Skeen (16) University, Leva Fifita Hamilton Old Boys, Whetu Douglas (25) University, Mitch Jacobson (7) Hautapu, Adam Burn (27) Hamilton Old Boys, Jordan Manihera Hamilton Old Boys.

Backs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow (40) Hautapu, Harrison Levien (6) Hamilton Marist, Pele Cowley (1) Hamilton Old Boys, Isaac Boss (53) (Southern United), Damian McKenzie (20) University, Stephen Donald (59) University, Sam Christie (43) Fraser Tech, Willis Halaholo, Tevita Taufui (2) Melville, Nathaniel Apa (1) Fraser Tech, Anton Lienert-Brown (19) University, Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara (2) Hamilton Old Boys, Sevu Reece (2) Melville, Shaun Stevenson (10) Hamilton Old Boys, Jordan Trainor (2) Fraser Tech.

Wider Training/Injury Cover: Murray Iti (7) Otorohanga, Jake Ale (1) Melville.