Preview: Wellington v Taranaki

Editor

Wellington play their final regular season clash against Taranaki on Sunday with all the semi-final match-ups dependent on the last round.

Wellington play their final regular season clash against Taranaki on Sunday with all the semi-final match-ups dependent on the last round of play.

In such a tight race to the finish, Auckland, Canterbury, Taranaki and Wellington have all secured semi-final spots but where on the ladder they end up will have to wait until the final whistle on Sunday.

To play at home, the Lions would need to at least win but will enter this vital clash without any All Blacks to choose from.

The New Zealand squad to play the Wallabies in Brisbane on October 20 assemble in Christchurch on Sunday, and no concessions are being made for those who've played very little.

However, Taranaki pivot Beauden Barrett is free to turn out for the visitors.

Barrett got the all-clear from the All Blacks coaches because he wasn't part of the original 26-man squad and was only called in as cover for the injured Dan Carter.

The only change to Wellington's line-up from the side that took on Otago last weekend is the return of Scott Fuglistaller to the openside flanker jersey.

That means Ardie Savea moves to number eight and Genesis Mamea back to the bench.

The teams:

Wellington: 15 Charlie Ngatai, 14 Matt Proctor, 13 Alapati Leiua, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Jason Woodward, 10 Tim Bateman, 9 Frae Wilson, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Ross Filipo, 5 Mark Reddish, 4 Jeremy Thrush (c), 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Eric Sione, 18 Lua Lokotui, 19 Genesis Mamea, 20 Kayne Hammington, 21 Lima Sopoaga, 22 Ambrose Curtis.

Taranaki: tbc

Date: Sunday, October 14
Kick-off: 14:35 local (03:35 BST, 02:35 GMT)
Venue: Westpac Stadium
Referee: Bryce Lawrence