There are four changes to the Canterbury team named today to play Bay of Plenty in an ITM Cup match at AMI Stadium on Friday night, with Sonny Bill Williams ready to make his first appearance.
All Blacks Owen Franks and Sam Whitelock have been included, Franks replacing Peter Borlase at tighthead prop and Whitelock coming in for lock Luke Romano.
Stephen Brett starts at first-five for the first time this season after Colin Slade was called into the All Blacks squad for the Investec Tri Nations match against Australia in Sydney next weekend.
Sonny Bill Williams has been named on the reserves bench after coming through 40 minutes for Canterbury Metro last weekend following rehab on his hamstring.
Williams is likely to get game time with a backline which fired against Auckland last weekend and backs coach Tabai Matson is looking for more of the same against Bay of Plenty.
He said: The backs were really decisive and that was a big difference. The decisiveness was helped by understanding what they wanted to do. They communicated really well and got into position to take their opportunities really well.
“The other area was at the wide breakdown. Against Auckland they were prepared to go to those dark places and that was a massive step.”
Loose forward Ash Parker will celebrate his blazer game (12th) for Canterbury if he takes the field.
The Canterbury team to play Bay of Plenty in an ITM Cup match at AMI Stadium on Friday, September 3, kick-off 7.35pm, is:
- Wyatt Crockett
- Corey Flynn
- Owen Franks
- Sam Whitelock
- Isaac Ross
- Matt Todd
- George Whitelock (c)
- Nasi Manu
- Andy Ellis
- Stephen Brett
- Telusa Veainu
- Ryan Crotty
- Robbie Fruean
- Tu Umaga-Marshall
- Sean Maitland
Reserves:
- Steve Fualau
- Peter Borlase
- Luke Romano
- Ash Parker
- Takerei Norton
- Sam Monaghan
- Sonny Bill Williams
Unavailable due to injury: midfielder Adam Whitelock (concussion), halfback Willi Heinz (hand).
Unavailable due to All Blacks commitments: Richie McCaw, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read, Colin Slade. Rehab: Dan Carter (ankle).