Southern derby: Otago v Southland
Otago and Southland will meet in Saturday's ITM Cup crossover match which will also mark the final game at the 'House of Pain'.
It's fitting that two of New Zealand rugby's two great provincial rivals - Southland and Otago - will be meeting at Carisbrook for the final time as the hosts try to climb out of the second division.
Otago's results this season have been mixed (three wins, two losses) and a win over old rivals Southland will be vital if they were to remain in contention for promotion.
There are six changes to the Otago starting line-up from that which beat Counties-Manukau 30-14 at Carisbrook on Wednesday.
Prop Scott Manson, hooker Liam Coltman, lock Rob Verbakel, flanker Paul Grant, halfback Johnny Legg and centre Jayden Spence have dropped to the bench and have been replaced by Jason Macdonald, Meeuws, Daniel Ramsay, Gareth Evans, Sean Romans and Ben Atiga.
Southland, beaten by Auckland last time out, have named a full-strength line-up for this crossover game.
With Joe Tuineau joining the Tonga squad for their World Cup campaign, Alex Ryan takes over at lock and partners Josh Bekhuis, who has recovered from injury after missing the Auckland defeat.
The teams:
Otago: 15 Ben R Smith, 14 Joe Hill, 13 Ben Atiga, 12 Glenn Dickson, 11. Buxton Popoali'i, 10. Tony Brown, 9. Sean Romans, 8 Andrew Stead , 7 Adam Hill/TJ Ioane, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Tom Donnelly (c), 4 Daniel Ramsay, 3. Kees Meeuws, 2 Jason MacDonald, 1 James McGougan
Replacements: 16. Liam Coltman, 17 Pieter van der Merwe, 18 Rob Verbakel, 19 Ioane/Paul Grant, 20 Johnny Legg, 21 Hayden Parker, 22 Jayden Spence, 23 Scott Manson.
Southland: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Matt Saunders, 11 Glen Horton, 10 James Wilson, 9 Scott Cowan, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 Tim Boys/Tom Chamberlain, 6 John Hardie, 5 Alex Ryan, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Replacements: 16 David Hall, 17 Nick Barrett, 18 Ben Nally/Michael Fatialofa, 19 Chamberlain/Boys, 20 Sonny Rangitohereri, 21 Scott Eade, 22 Tim Cornforth, 23 Michael Peterson.
Referee: James McPhail
Counties Manukau v Waikato
Stephen Donald returns to Waikato's ITM Cup premiership starting lineup in their game at Pukekohe's Bayer Growers Stadium.
The first five-eighth has missed the last two matches with a neck/shoulder injury that was suffered in the second round against Taranaki.
"When you're away for a week in this competition you miss a couple of games so it's going to be good to get back out there and try and help the boys get a bit of momentum," Donald said.
Waikato have not lost to the Steelers since 2000, but Donald said even though Counties-Manukau were in the lower tier championship they were not the easy-beats they once were.
"It's a real game," said Donald.
"Certainly in the past Counties has been a team that you could be pretty confident of beating, but not now.
"They're a strong side. They're well coached and there's a lot of experience in there now so it's going to be a hell of a fight up there."
Counties Manukau: Sherwin Stowers, Ahsee Tuala, Reynold Lee-Lo, Niva Ta'auso, Tyrone, Lefau, Tasesa Lavea or Baden Kerr, David Bason, Fritz Lee, DJ Forbes, Taiasina Tuifua, Jamie Chipman (c), Ronald Raaymakers, Matt Talaese, Grant Henson, Simon Lemalu. Replacements: Mark Price, Jeremiah Fatialofa, Adam Cathcart, Mark Selwyn, August Pulu, Bundee Aki, Tim Nanai-Williams, Ihipa Thompson.
Waikato: Tim Mikkelson, Henry Speight, Save Tokula, Jackson Willison, Declan O'Donnell, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Rory Grice, Zak Hohneck, Jack Lam, Chris Middleton, Toby Lynn, Nathan White (c), Aled de Malmanche, Ted Tauroa.
Replacements: Vance Elliott, Ben May, Marty Holah, Matt vant Leven, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Sam Christie, Trent Renata, Latu Talakai.
Referee: Kane McBride
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