Official team lists and injury news for round two of the provincial rugby championship.
TASMAN V NORTHLAND
7pm Friday, September 18
Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
Tasman: 1-Isi Tu'ungafasi, 2-Andrew Makalio, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-Mahonri Ngakuru, 5-Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Jacob Norris, 8-Hugh Renton, 9-Dwayne Polataivao, 10-Mitchell Hunt, 11-Leicester Faingaanuku, 12-David Havili, 13-Fetuli Paea, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Will Jordan
Reserves: 16-Quentin MacDonald, 17-Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 18-Isaac Salmon, 19-Suafoa Cameron, 20-Braden Stewart, 21-Louie Chapman, 22-Tim O'Malley, 23-Tima Faingaanuku
Former All Blacks fullback and Mako skipper David Havili has returned from an extended injury absence and fill a spot in the midfield, after breaking his thumb while on duty with the Crusaders in July.
The line-up features five changes from last week's starting XV, although All Blacks Tyrel Lomax, Shannon Frizell, Sevu Reece and Will Jordan will again take the field.
Northland: 1-Luatangi Li, 2-Jordan Olsen, 3-Tyler Kearns, 4-Josh Goodhue, 5-Sam Caird, 6-Tom Robinson, 7-Kara Pryor, 8-Sam McNamara, 9-Sam Nock, 10-Wiseguy Fiane, 11-Pisi Leilua, 12-Tamati Tua, 13-Rene Ranger, 14-Jordan Hylad, 15-Scott Gregory
Reserves: 16-Paddy Atkins, 17-Ben Tou, 18-Coree Te Whata-Colley, 19-Temo Mayanavanua, 20-Matt Matich, 21-Harrison Levien, 22-Johnny Cooper, 23-Blake Hohaia
An unknown injury has forced All Blacks midfielder Jack Goodhhue out of Northland's line-up to face the defending champion Mako, with Tamati Tua taking his place at second-five.
The change is one of two Northland have made to their side, with Wiseguy Faiane named to start at first-five and Dan Hawkins omitted from the matchday squad.
Head to head: Shannon Frizell v Tom Robinson
Not long ago, 'Big Red' was tipped as an All Blacks No.6 challenger, before injury intervened. He gets his chance against the national team incumbent.
WAIKATO V NORTH HARBOUR
2pm Saturday, September 19
FMG Stadium, Hamilton
Waikato: 1-Ollie Norris, 2-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3-Josh Iosefa-Scott , 4-Hamilton Burr, 5-Samipeni Finau, 6-Adam Thomson, 7-Mitch Jacobson, 8-Luke Jacobson, 9-Xavier Roe, 10-Fletcher Smith, 11-Gideon Wrampling, 12-Anton Lienert-Brown, 13-Quinn Tupaea, 14-Liam Coombes-Fabling, 15-Damian McKenzie
Reserves: 16-Steven Misa, 17-Rob Cobb, 18-George Dyer, 19-James Thompson, 20-Simon Parker, 21-Cortez Ratima, 22-Rivez Reihana, 23-Valynce Te Whare
North Harbour: 1-Karl Tu'inukuafe, 2-Lutero Tolai, 3-Sione Mafileo, 4-Gerrard Cowley-Tuioti, 5-Jacob Pearce, 6-Ethan Roots, 7-Dillon Hunt, 8-Murphy Taramai, 9-Bryn Hall, 10-Bryn Gatland, 11-Tomas Aoake, 12-Jimmy Little, 13-Jared Page,, 14-Ngarachi McGarvey-Black, 15-Shaun Stevenson
Reserves: 16-Zane Turner, 17-Teague McIlroy, 18-Jimmy Roots, 19-Xavier Cowley-Tuioti, 20-Lotu Inisi, 21-Lewis Gjatema, 22-Jack Heighton, 23-Walter Fifta
There are just a couple of changes in the team from the week one side that los to Canterbury, with Tomas Aoake into the starting lineup on the wing and Walter Fifita moving to the reserves, while Jared Page starts at centre.
The side will once again be led by Dillion Hunt from the side of the scrum with All Blacks prop Karl Tu’inukuafe in the front row.
CANTERBURY V TARANAKI
4:30pm Saturday, September 19
Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Canterbury: 1-Joe Moody, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Oliver Jager, 4-Sam Whitelock, 5-Luke Romano, 6-Reed Prinsep, 7-Tom Christie, 8-Cullen Grace, 9-Mitchell Drummond, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-George Bridge, 12-Rameka Pohipi, 13-Isaiah Punivai, 14-Manasa Mataele, 15-Josh McKay
Reserves: 16-Shilo Klein, 17-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18-Fletcher Newell, 19-Billy Harmon, 20-Ereatara Enari, 21-Brett Cameron, 23-Andrew Knewstubb
Taranaki: 1- Reuben O'Neill, 2-Ricky Riccitelli, 3-Ben May, 4-Josh Lord, 5-Tupou Vaa'i, 6-Mitchell Croswell, 7-Lachlan Boshier, 8-Kaylum Boshier, 9-Lisati Milo-Harris, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-Lewis Ormond, 12-Teihorangi Walden, 13-Sean Wainui, 14-Jacob Ratumatayuki-Kneepkens, 15-Jordie Barrett
Reserves: 16-Bradley Slater, 17-Jared Proffit, 18-Donald Brighouse, 19-Jack Jordan, 20-Tom Florence, 21-Warwick Lahmert, 22-Jayson Potroz, 23-Brayton Northcott-Hill
Coach Willie Rickards has made a pair of changes to the starting side that beat Bay of Plenty last weekend, with Reuben O'Neill replacing Jared Proffit in the front row and Kaylum Boshier for injured Mitchell Brown in the loose forwards.
All Black brothers Beauden and Jordie Barrett retain their sports in the backline, and will be key to Taranaki's chances of wresting the Ranfurly Shield away from the star-studded Canterbury side.
Head to Head: Richie Mo'unga v Beauden Barrett
Enough said.
BAY OF PLENTY V SOUTHLAND
7pm Saturday, September 19
Rotorua International Stadium
Bay of Plenty: 1-Tevita Mafileo, 2-Kurt Eklund, 3-Jeff Thwaites, 4-Kane Le’aupepe, 5-Keepa Mewett, 6-Zane Kapeli, 7-Sam Cane, 8-Joe Tupe, 9-Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10-Otere Black, 11-Fa’asiu Fuatai, 12-Chase Tiatia, 13-Regan Ware, 14-Joe Webber, 15-Dan Hollinshead
Reserves: 16-Nathan Vella, 17-Haereiti Hetet, 18-Ross Geldenhuys, 19-Stan van den Hoven, 20-Joe Johnston, 21-Luke Campbell, 22-Scott Curry, 23-Mathew Skipwith-Garland
NZ Sevens skipper Scott Curry will make his debut off the bench for the Steamers - he previously represented Manawatu - while All Blacks counterpart Sam Cane returns off the side of the scrum.
Southland: 1-Joseph Walsh, 2-Greg Pleasents-Tate, 3-Siate Tokolahi, 4-Raymond Tatafu, 5-Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 6-Glenn Preston, 7-Matthew James, 8-Tony Lamborn, 9-Raniera Takarangi, 10-Scott Eade, 11-Amanaki Nicole, 12-Jaye Thompson, 13-Isaac Te Tamaki, 14-Rory van Vugt, 15-Joshua Moorby
Reserves: 16-Jason Rutledge, 17-Ethan De Groot, 18-Christopher Apoua, 19-Michael McKee, 20-Charles Alaimalo, 21-Logan Crowley, 22-Gregory Dyer, 23-Raymond Nu’u
The Stags have made four changes to last week's starting side, as Joseph Walsh replaces Ethan de Groot at prop, Raymond Tatafu comes in for Mike McKee at lock, Glenn Preston spells Charles Alaimalo at flanker and Raniera Takarangi claims the No.9 jersey in place of Logan Crowley.
Head to Head - Regan Ware v Isaac Te Tamaki
If conditions allow, the clash between these two midfield speedsters may have a huge bearing on the result.
HAWKE'S BAY V COUNTIES MANUKAU
2pm Sunday, September 20
McLean Park, Napier
Hawke's Bay: 1-Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2-Ash Dixon (c), 3-Joe Apikotoa, 4-Geoff Cridge, 5-Tom Parsons, 6-Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 7-Brendon O'Connor, 8-Devan Flanders, 9-Brad Weber , 10-Lincoln McClutchie, 11-Jonah Lowe, 12-Ollie Sapsford,, 13-Stacey Ili, 14-Lolagi Visinia, 15-Kurt Baker
Reserves: 16-Kianu Kereru-Symes, 17-Jason Long, 18-Joel Hintz, 19-Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20-Solomone Funaki, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Caleb Makene, 23-Danny Toala
Counties: 1-Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2-Zuriel Togiatama, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Matiaha Martin, 5-Mickey Woolliams, 6-Johnny Kawau, 7-Dalton Papali'i, 8-Sam Slade, 9-Jonathan Taumateine, 10-Baden Kerr, 11-Kalione Hala, 12-Orbyn Leger (c), 13-Luteru Laulala, 14-Kiris Kuridrani, 15-Etene Nanai-Seturo
Reserves: 16-Shaun Muir, 17-Clinton Malolua, 18-Conan O’Donnell, 19-Potu Leavasa, 20-Viliame Taulani, 21-Pele Cowley, 22-Pele Cowley, 23-Jason Robertson
Coach Tai Lavea has made three changes to his starting side, as the Counties Manukau Steelers look for their first win of the Mitre 10 Cup season .
The Steelers are without two-time World Cup winner Kieran Read, who sits out this week forcing a reshuffle in the loose trio. Stand-out Sam Slade moves to No.8 to cover Read, while the experienced Johnny Kawau comes into the starting side at blindside.
Mickey Woolliams moves to the starting XV and takes his spot at lock with Potu Leavasa shifting back to the bench.
Luteru Laulala will make his first start for the PIC Steelers since 2018 after being named at centre for the clash against the Magpies.
All Blacks duo Nepo Laulala and Dalton Papalii will both start against Hawke’s Bay in what will likely be the pair’s final match before their international campaign begins.
Head to Head: Brendon O'Connor v Dalton Papali'i
Two excellent openside flankers on opposing sides. O'Conner played 42 games for the Blues before shifting to the Leicester Tigers in 2015. Papali'i was a standout for the Blues this season - earning an All Blacks spot two weeks ago.
MANAWATU V OTAGO
2pm Sunday, September 20
Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North
Manawatu: 1-Mike Alaalatoa, 2-Sam Stewart, 3-Tietie Tuimauga, 4-Teofilo Paulo, 5-Sam Liebezeit, 6-Laim Mitchell, 7-Micaiah Torrence-Read, 8-Brayden Iose, 9- Jamie Booth, 10-Ben Wyness, 11-Adam Boult, 12-James Tofa, 13-Josiah Maruku, 14-Newton Tudreu, 15-Te Rangatira Waitokia
Reserves: 16-Siua Maile, 17-Kyle Stewart, 18-Paulo Leleisuao, 19-TK Howden, 20-Tyler Laubscher, 21-Aaron Smith, 22-Stewart Cruden, 23-Nehe Milner-Skudder
Otago: 1-George Bower, 2-:Liam Coltman, 3-Josh Hohneck, 4-Jack Regan, 5-Will Tucker, 6-Charles Eaton, 7-Slade McDowall, 8-Dylan Nel, 9-Kayne Hammngton, 10-Josh Ioane, 11-Jona Nareki, 12-Aleki Morris, 13-Michael Collins, 14-Freedom Vahaakolo, 15-Vilimoni Koroi
Reserves: 16-Ricky Jackson, 17-Jonah Aoina, 18-Yoshihisa Sasagi, 19-Josh Hill, 20-Nasi Manu, 21-James Ascott, 22-Josh Timu, 23-Sean Withy
Head to Head: Ben Wyness v Josh Ioane
Wyness was impressive last week for the green and whites and Ioane has been excellent all season for the Highlanders.
AUCKLAND V WELLINGTON
4:30pm Sunday, September 20
Eden Park, Auckland
Auckland: 1-Alex Hodgman, 2-Leni Apisai, 3-Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 4-Scott Scrafton, 5-Jack Whetton, 6-Akira Ioane, 7-Adian Choat, 8-Hoskins Sotutu, 9-Jonathan Ruru, 10-Harry Plummer, 11-Caleb Clarke, 12-TJ Faiane, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-AJ Lam, 15-Jordan Trainor
Reserves: 16-Mike Sosene-Feagai, 17-Jarred Adams, 18-Angus To'avao, 19-Liam Hallam-Eames, 20-Blake Gibson, 21-Danny Tusitala, 22-Zaen Sullivan, 23-Tumua Manu
Wellington: 1-Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 2-Asafo Aumua, 3-Alex Fidow, 4-James Blackwell, 5-Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 6-Vaea Fifita, 7-Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8-Ardie Savea, 9-TJ Perenara,
10-Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11-Julian Savea, 12-Vince Aso, 13-Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14-Wes Goosen, 15-Billy Proctor
Reserves: 16-Tyrone Thompson, 17-Morgan Poi, 18-Ben Aumua-Peseta, 19-Caleb Delany, 20-Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 21-Connor Collins, 22-Trent Renata, 23-Pepesana Patafilo
Winger Wes Goosen will chalk up his 50th game in a Lions line-up that features All Blacks stars Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara and Asafo Aumua, and former internationals Vaea Fifita and Julian Savea.
Ben Aumua-Peseta and Caleb Delany will make their Wellington debuts off the bench.
Auckland are once again littered with All Blacks talent, and are able to name Angus To'avao and Blake Gibson on the bench.
Head to Head: Hoskins Sotutu v Ardie Savea
Hard to look past the battle at the back fo the scrum. Ardie Savea up against his potential ABs understudy, Hoskins Sotutu in their respective No.8 jerseys.
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