Canterbury to wait on Ellis

Scrum-half Andy Ellis has been bracketed with Tyson Keats in the Canterbury line-up to play Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup Final on Saturday.

Scrum-half Andy Ellis has been bracketed with Tyson Keats in the Canterbury line-up to play Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup Final on Saturday.

The 24-year-old has been in doubt after suffering a medial ligament injury in his right knee and coach Rob Penney has given him until the last minute to prove his fitness.

The other players in doubt for the final were centre Casey Laulala and lock Isaac Ross, but they have both been named in the side for this weekend's game at Westpac Stadium.

Wing James Paterson was already ruled out after suffering a knee injury in the semi-final win over Hawke's Bay and Sean Maitland has taken his place.

Penney will be pleased to have a least two of his injured players confirmed for the final as Canterbury look to claim their first provincial title since 2004.

There will be an extra incentive for the side to win as they look to send long-serving players Scott Hamilton and Greg Somerville off in style.

Hamilton is set to link up with the Leicester Tigers and Somerville with Gloucester at the conclusion of this year's Air New Zealand Cup.

Canterbury: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Paul Williams, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis/Tyson Keats, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Hayden Hopgood, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Steve Fualau, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Nasi Manu, 19 George Whitelock, 20 Tyson Keats/Steve Alfeld, 21 Hamish Gard, 22 Adam Whitelock.

Date: Saturday, October 25
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19:35 (06:35 GMT)
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
Touch judges: Vinny Munro, Chris Pollock
TMO: Steve Walsh