There are three changes to the Canterbury team named to face Tasman in an ITM Cup match at Trafalgar Park, Nelson, on Saturday afternoon.
Andrew Olorenshaw replaces Peter Borlase at tighthead prop, Steve Fualau returns for Corey Flynn at hooker and Luke Romano comes in for Sam Whitelock to partner Isaac Ross at lock.
Rob Verbakel comes back into the match-day squad as lock cover.
Borlase, who has started in Canterbury’s three matches this season, is on the reserves bench. Flynn and Whitelock are with the All Blacks in South Africa.
Canterbury will be looking to carry on the form shown in its previous match – the 44-22 victory over North Harbour at AMI Stadium last week – against franchise partners Tasman.
The Red and Blacks came through a tight encounter with a victory over Tasman in a pre-season match in Blenheim but will be expecting another tough match on Saturday.
Sonny Bill Williams (tight hamstring) is unavailable for the match.
The Canterbury team to play Tasman at Trafalgar Park in Nelson on Saturday, August 21, kick-off 2.35pm, is:
- Wyatt Crockett
- Steve Fualau
- Andrew Olorenshaw
- Luke Romano
- Isaac Ross
- Matt Todd
- George Whitelock (c)
- Ash Parker
- Takerei Norton
- Colin Slade
- Telusa Veainu
- Stephen Brett
- Robbie Fruean
- Sam Monaghan
- Sean Maitland
Reserves:
- Paul Ngauamo
- Peter Borlase
- Rob Verbakel
- Nasi Manu
- Andy Ellis
- Robbie Flynn
- Patrick Osborne
Unavailable due to injury: midfielder Adam Whitelock (concussion), midfielder Sonny Bill Williams (hamstring), halfback Willi Heinz (hand), midfielder Ryan Crotty (foot), wing/centre Tu Umaga-Marshall (hamstring).
Unavailable due to All Blacks commitments: Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Corey Flynn.