Back at 9: Andy Ellis
Canterbury have recalled Andy Ellis and Ryan Crotty for their final game of the regular ITM Cup season, against Bay of Plenty on home soil on Sunday.
The duo replace Willi Heinz and Telusa Veainu respectively while there is a reshuffle that sees kicker Tom Taylor move to full-back and form finisher Johnny McNicholl head out to the wing.
Matt Todd returns in place of Sam Whitelock while Joel Everson, Ben Funnell and Joe Moody come in for Luke Katene, Codie Taylor and Luke Katene.
Bay of Plenty come into this fixture on the back of their 17-3 defeat to Tasman and have named an inexperienced tight five to face the Cantabs.
The teams:
Canterbury: 15 Tom Taylor, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock (capt), 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Joel Everson, 3 Paea Fa'anunu, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Andrew Olorenshaw, 18 Luke Whitelock, 19 Jed Brown, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Telusa Veainu, 22 Stephen Gee.
Bay of Plenty: 15 Nick McCashin, 14 Lance MacDonald, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Jack Wilson, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Carl Axtens, 7 Tanerau Latimer (capt), 6 Dan Goodwin, 5 Leon Power, 4 Keepa Mewett, 3 Mike Kainga, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Greg Pleasants-Tate.
Replacements: 16 John Pareanga, 17 Tristan Moran, 18 Pingi Tala'apitaga, 19 Matt Clutterbuck, 20 Curtis van der Heyden, 21 Simon Rolleston, 22 Maru Henry.
Referee: Keith Brown
Comments
damo says...
Hey here is an idea, Canterbury could make a fortune travelling around the world playing exhibition matches like the Harlem globetrotters of Rugby, they are most likely the best club in the world, defo get them to play Munster now penny is in charge it would be a sell out in Ireland and a big pay off for the Club players
Posted 21:35 15th October 2012
Capedcrusader says...
ok I see your point. Problem is NZer's are fickle. If they were in the same position as English footy fans they'd be moaning that they can't get a ticket. It makes me furious. Why - because the players deserve respect i.e. crowd support. If the NZRFU was run properly fair enough. Instead we put up with "but we don't have any money boo hoo hoo". Man U made £160M (or there abouts) last financial yr from merchandising period. When was the last time any super franchise made a season hi-lights DVD available????? Answer NEVER. I asked them (CRFU) and was directed to a video link of the boys lying around a pool in Brisbane b4 I think the 2011 final. That's simply a disgrace. It's commercial suicide.
btw I'd watch Canterbury put 500+ points on ANYONE EVERYDAY of the week....
Posted 13:44 15th October 2012
damo says...
They should have a top division and only let teams who can compete in that division not mix it with useless teams, anyone know how Southlands for against ratio is this year, its like the heineken cup only with part time tag rugby teams also competing its just not a good competition, sorry but its me being honest, this game will also end up a win by 50+ points and who wants to watch that rubbish? I agree with club rugby but you should have more even contests is my point!!!!!! Thats why people have divisions Ireland has Provincial rugby and club rugby but you wouldn't see Brian Odriscol and the like playing against 18 year old up and coming players trying to beat them by 100 points as thats not good for young players or to watch!!!!
Posted 16:12 13th October 2012
capedcrusader says...
Yeah it would better if all the players in the ITM just played club rugby OR even better not at all. That would be a great help to NZ rugby wouldn't it. Then the up and coming talent in the country wouldnt have anything to aspire to and the game would die a death. That would be brillant wouldn't it
Another clueless poster who clearly sits in their chair and thinks their opinion matters.
Posted 13:18 13th October 2012
damo says...
canterbury by 100 points what a pointless game ITM cup is worst competition ever, its like the Rugby championship incl all the 3rd tier nations RUBBISH
Posted 11:44 13th October 2012