Canterbury team to play Hawke's Bay

Posted Wednesday, 28 July 2010 in News

Canterbury begin the defence of their national provincial title against Hawke’s Bay at AMI Stadium on Friday night.

Several players will be making their Canterbury debut, including wing Patrick Osborne (pictured), who is in the starting XV.

Newcomers on the bench include hooker Paul Ngauamo, lock Rob Verbakel, flanker Brendon O’Connor, halfback Matt George, midfielder Robbie Flynn and wing Telusa Veainu.

Ngauamo, O’Connor and Veainu all have experience at New Zealand Under-20 level.

Shirley player Flynn has been called into the squad this week due to injuries in the midfield.

Centre Robbie Fruean is unavailable due to an irregular heart beat (arrhythmia) which was first picked up on Monday. He has been assessed at Christchurch Hospital and will continue to be monitored as to his return to rugby.

The Canterbury team are preparing for a big challenge from a Hawke’s Bay team which made the semi-finals last season.

Canterbury head coach Rob Penney said: “We know they will be up for this game and it’s up to us to counter that. We’re confident we’ll put in a pretty good performance.”

Hooker Steve Fualau will celebrate his blazer game (12th game) for Canterbury, as will reserve prop Andrew Olorenshaw if he takes the field.

The Canterbury team to play Hawke’s Bay at AMI Stadium, on Friday, kick-off 7.35pm, is:

  1. Wyatt Crockett
  2. Steve Fualau
  3. Pete Borlase
  4. Luke Romano
  5. Isaac Ross
  6. Matt Todd
  7. George Whitelock (c)
  8. Ash Parker
  9. Willi Heinz
  10. Colin Slade
  11. Tu Umaga-Marshall
  12. Stephen Brett
  13. Ryan Crotty
  14. Patrick Osborne
  15. Sean Maitland

      Reserves:

  1. Paul Ngauamo
  2. Andrew Olorenshaw
  3. Rob Verbakel
  4. Brendon O’Connor
  5. Matt George
  6. Robbie Flynn
  7. Telusa Veainu

Unavailable due to injury: No 8 Nasi Manu (knee), halfback Andy Ellis (toe), midfielder  Adam Whitelock (concussion), halfback Takerei Norton (hamstring), midfielder Sonny Bill Williams (knee) and midfielder Robbie Fruean (heart arrythmia).

Unavailable due to All Blacks commitments: Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Brad Thorn, Corey Flynn, Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock.

 

 

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