Two players will make their Canterbury debuts in the ITM Cup match against Manawatu in Palmerston North on Thursday night.
Halfback Matt George replaces Willi Heinz, who fractured a metacarpal bone in his left hand in the draw against Hawke’s Bay last weekend, and Sam Monaghan starts on the left wing, replacing Patrick Osborne, who injured his hip in the same match.
Lincoln University player George has been training with the Canterbury squad this season due to injuries to Andy Ellis and Takerei Norton, while Monaghan was a member of the squad last year but did not take the field.
Ellis has recovered from a toe fracture which forced him to miss both pre-season games and last week’s match and is on the bench.
Tu Umaga-Marshall moves from the wing to centre, replacing Ryan Crotty, who left the field against Hawke’s Bay with a foot sprain. It will be Umaga-Marshall’s blazer game (12th) for Canterbury.
On the bench as backs cover is Robbie Fruean, who has recovered from his irregular heart beat issue from last week.
The forward pack and forward reserves are unchanged from last week.
The Canterbury team to play Manawatu at FMG Stadium in Palmerston North on Thursday, kick-off 7.35pm, is:
- Wyatt Crockett
- Steve Fualau
- Pete Borlase
- Luke Romano
- Isaac Ross
- Matt Todd
- George Whitelock (c)
- Ash Parker
- Matt George
- Colin Slade
- Sam Monaghan
- Stephen Brett
- Tu Umaga-Marshall
- Telusa Veainu
- Sean Maitland
Reserves:
- Paul Ngauamo
- Andrew Olorenshaw
- Rob Verbakel
- Brendon O’Connor
- Andy Ellis
- Robbie Flynn
- Robbie Fruean
Unavailable due to injury: No 8 Nasi Manu (knee), midfielder Adam Whitelock (concussion), midfielder Sonny Bill Williams (knee), wing Patrick Osborne (hip), halfback Willi Heinz (hand), midfielder Ryan Crotty (foot), halfback Takerei Norton (hamstring).
Unavailable due to All Blacks commitments: Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Brad Thorn, Corey Flynn, Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock.