Centre: Adam Whitelock
Canterbury will be looking to make it four wins from four in the ITM Cup on Thursday when they travel to Rotorua for a fixture against Bay of Plenty.
Coach Scott Robertson has made five changes to the starting XV that eased past Waikato 47-10.
Hooker Marcel Cummings-Toone gets his first start, with Ben Funnell moving to the bench while lock Luke Katene packs down with Matt Symons.
With Luke Whitelock and Colin Slade called back into the All Black camp, Jordan Taufua wears eight this week and Jamie Verran is at full-back.
Quality scrum-halves Andy Ellis and Willi Heinz have rotated again, with Ellis at nine for this one.
An upset win for the Steamers is a big ask but in truth they will not have a better opportunity to pick up Canterbury’s scalp, with a whole host of names missing due to international duty.
Bay of Plenty will be looking to experienced trio Kenny Lynn, Tanerau Latimer and Willie Ripia to lead strongly as they look for their second win of the Premiership competition.
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BAY OF PLENTY v CANTERBURY Thursday 5 September, 7.35pm, Rotorua Intl Stadium, Rotorua Played: 32, 1938-2012 Canterbury wins: 22 | Bay of Plenty wins: 8 | Draws: 2 Last match: Canterbury 63 Bay of Plenty 22, 14.10.12 in Christchurch (ITMC) Last Bay of Plenty win: Bay of Plenty 35 Canterbury 31, 23.08.11 in Mt Maunganui (ITMC) Biggest Canterbury score: 72 (72-3), 31.08.01 in Christchurch (NPC, RS) Biggest Bay of Plenty score: 30 (30-35), 25.08.02 in Rotorua (NPC) Biggest differential: Canterbury by 69 (72-3), 31.08.01 in Christchurch (NPC, RS) |
The teams:
Bay of Plenty: 15 Steve Honey, 14 Tino Nemani, 13 Kenny Lynn, 12 Sam Beard, 11 Kimami Sitauti, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Josh Hall, 8 Carl Axtends, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Johan Bardoul, 5 Tim Bond, 4 Keepa Mewett, 3 Pingi Tala’apitaga, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Kane Harris.
Replacements: 16 Joe Royal, 17 Albert Anae, 18 Joe Tupe, 19 Beau Robinson, 20 TeAihe Toma, 21 Nick Evemy, 22 Dave Thomas.
Canterbury: 15 Jamie Verran, 14 Patrick Osborne, 13 Adam Whitelock, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Milford Keresoma, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock (capt), 5 Matt Symons, 4 Luke Katene, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Marcel Cummings-Toone, 1 Paea Fa’anunu.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Sione Faletau, 18 Joel Everson, 19 Jed Brown, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Rob Thompson, 22 Richie Mo’unga.
Referee: Richard Kelly
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