Back for Lions: Scott Fuglistaller
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
Comments
Ferdie says...
one for the many Bryce Lawrence fans - he is ref for this match, his 200th first class appointment.
He retires at end of this ITM season (in two weeks), also retiring are Vinny Munro (86 first class matches) and Keith Brown (108 first class matches).
And top marks to NZ media I can't find any published list of the Taranaki side for this match, just that Craig Clarke being rested for the semis and Jason Eaton is captain
Posted 00:26 13th October 2012
Ferdie says...
rarely enjoy these games, because they (Wellington) win most of them! Past years have seen some really scrappy affairs as the major provinces in the Hurricanes franchise area battle it out.
Best bet would be on yellow cards.
Have every hope for Taranaki to win, but if I were to gamble it would be on Wellington 1-12 points.
Please Barrett gets a run, he contributed so much in their earlier season matches before being called in as an AB backup.
Posted 13:56 12th October 2012