Official team lists and injury news for this week's provincial rugby championship games.
Canterbury v Otago
7:05pm Friday, October 30
Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Canterbury: 1-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2-Brodie McAlister, 3-Oli Jager, 4-Sam Darry, 5-Luke Romano, 6-Billy Harmon, 7-Tom Christie, 8-Reed Prinsep, 9-Mitchell Drummond,, 10-Fergus Burke, 11-Ngane Punivai, 12-Rameka Poihipi, 13-Dallas McLeod, 14-Chay Fihaki, 15-Josh McKay
Reserves: 16-Shilo Klein, 17-Finlay Brewis, 18-Tamaiti Williams, 19-Liam Allen, 20-Whetukamokamo Douglas, 21-Luke Donaldson, 22-Brett Cameron, 23-Andrew Knewstubb.
Canterbury have made a host of changes, headlined by the return of front row duo Brodie McAlister and Oli Jager.
Also in the forwards, Luke Romano comes in for Mitchell Dunshea, while Reed Prinsep moves to No. 8 following the inclusion of Billy Harmon.
In the backs, Mitchell Drummond starts at halfback with Dallas McLeod in at midfield, while Josh McKay shifts from the left wing to fullback.
Otago: 1-Jamie Mackintosh, 2-Liam Coltman, 3-Josh Hohneck, 4-Will Tucker, 5-Josh Dickson, 6-Sam Fischli, 7-Slade McDowall, 8-Nasi Manu, 9-Kayne Hammington, 10-Josh Ioane, 11-Jona Nareki, 12-Sio Tomkinson, 13-Josh Timu, 14-Freedom Vahaakolo, 15-Vilimoni Koroi
Reserves: 16-Ricky Jackson, 17-Jonah Aoina, 18-Hisa Sasagi, 19-Jack Regan, 20-Sione Misiloi, 21-James Arscott, 22-Michael Collins, 23-Charles Elton
Otago have made a host of changes to their side, which includes the return of backline trio Sio Tomkinson, Josh Ioane and Vilimoni Koroi.
Tomkinson returns after serving a six-week suspension, while All Blacks first-five Ioane and Koroi were left out of last week's team, after a breach of team protocol.
In the forwards, Sam Fischli makes his first-class debut at blindside flanker, with Slade McDowall returning at openside, Nasi Manu coming in at No. 8 and Will Tucker replacing Jack Regan at lock.
Wellington v Tasman
2:05pm Saturday October 31
Porirua Park, Porirua
Wellington: 1-Xavier Numia, 2-James O'Reilly, 3-Alex Fidow, 4-James Blackwell, 5-Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 6-Vaea Fifita, 7-Mateaki Kafatolu, 8-Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 9-Connor Collins, 10-Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11-Julian Savea, 12-Vince Aso, 13-Billy Proctor, 14-Wes Goosen, 15-Ruben Love
Reserves: 16-Tyrone Thompson, 17-Morgan Poi, 18-Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 19-Taine Plumtree, 20-Sam Smith, 21-Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, 22-Aidan Morgan, 23-Pepesano Patafilo
The Lions will field an unchanged line-up from the one that started against Counties Manukau last week, with Kaliopasi Uluilakepa and Taine Plumtree bolstering forward stocks off the bench.
Former All Black Vaea Fifita will notch up his 50th appearance for Wellington, as will James Blackwell, who captains the team.
Tasman: 1-Isi Tu'ungafasi, 2-Andrew Makalio, 3-Isaac Salmon, 4-Alex Ainley, 5-Quinten Strange, 6-Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 7-Sione Havili, 8-Taina Fox-Matamua, 9-Finlay Christie, 10-Mitch Hunt, 11-Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12-Alex Nankivell, 13-Fetuli Paea, 14-Tima Fainga'anuku 15-David Havili (c)
Reserves: 16-Quentin MacDonald, 17-Ryan Coxo, 18-Blair Prinsep, 19-Isaac Ross, 20-Anton Segner, 21-Dwayne Polataivao, 22-Tim O'Malley, 23-Mark Telea
The Tasman Mako have made a host of changes to their side, with the majority of them coming in the tight-five as props Isi Tu'ungafasi and Isaac Salmon, and locks Alex Ainley and Quinten Strange promote to the starring side.
There is one change on the bench with Tima Fainga'anuku coming in for Mark Telea.
Northland v North Harbour
4:35pm Saturday October 31
Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei
Northland: 1-Ross Wright, 2-Ben Tou, 3-Coree Te Whata-Colley, 4-Josh Goodhue (c), 5-Sam Caird, 6-Tom Robinson, 7-Kara Pryor, 8-Matt Matich, 9-Sam Nock (c), 10-Johnny Cooper, 11-Pisi Leilua, 12-Tamati Tua, 13-Scott Gregory, 14-Brady Rush, 15-Mathew Wright
Reserves: 16-Jordan Olsen, 17-Luatangi Li, 18-Tyler Kearns, 19-Rob Rush, 20-Sam Mcnamara, 21-Will Grant, 22-Dan Hawkins, 23-Rene Ranger
Northland has made wholesale changes to their starting side after getting thrashed by Otago last time out.
Head coach, George Konia as made nine changes in total with four of them in the forwards. There is a brand new front row with Ross Wright, Ben Tou and Coree Te Whata-Colley coming in, Sam Caird also gets a start in place of Temo Mayanavanua who drops out of the 23.
The Taniwha have a near brand new backline, with Sam Nock, Johnny Cooper, Tamati Tua, Brady Rush and Mathew Wright all coming in for Rene Ranger - who drops to the bench, Kalani Going, Jone Macilai drops out of the 23. Last week's fullback, Scott Gregory shifts to centre.
On the bench, five players of last weeks starting side will get an opportunity to redeem themselves.
North Harbour: 1-Teague McElroy, 2-Luteru Tolai, 3-Sione Mafileo, 4-Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 5-Jacob Pierce, 6-Ethan Roots, 7-Dillon Hunt, 8-Murphy Taramai, 9-Bryn Hall, 10-Bryn Gatland, 11-Tomas Aoake,12-Antonio Mikaele-Tu'u, 13-James Little, 14-Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 15-Shaun Stevenson
Reserves: 16-Zane Turner, 17-Alex Woonton, 18-Jimmy Roots, 19-Xavier Cowley-Tuioti, 20-Tim Sail, 21-Lewis Gjaltema, 22-Fine Inisi, 23-Jared Page
North Harbour have made two changes to their starting side with prop Teague McElroy coming in for the injured Nic Mayhew, while Antonio Mikaele-Tu'u comes in for Jack Heighton at second-five.
Auckland v Waitako
7:05pm Saturday October 31
Eden Park, Auckland
Auckland: 1-James Lay, 2-Leni Apisai, 3-Marcel Renata, 4-Scott Scrafton, 5-Hamish Dalzell, 6-Adrian Choat (c), 7-Blake Gibson, 8-Sione Tuipulotu, 9-Jonathan Ruru, 10-Harry Plummer, 11-Salesi Rayasi, 12-TJ Faiane, 13-Tumua Manu, 14-AJ Lam, 15-Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: 16-Soane Vikena, 17-Jarrad Adams, 18-Marco Fepulea’i, 19-Liam Hallam-Eames, 20-Niko Jones, 21-Danny Tusitala, 22-Simon Hickey, 23-Tanielu Tele'a
Captain TJ Faiane and Salesi Rayasi return from injury for the, with Tanielu Tele'a moving to the bench.
Loose forward Sione Tuipulotu replaces Akira Ioane at No.8, who is away with All Black duties.
Waikato: 1-Rob Cobb, 2-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3-Sefo Kautai, 4-Hamilton Burr, 5-Samipeni Finau, 6-Adam Thompson, 7-Luke Jacobson, 8-Liam Messam, 9-Xavier Roe, 10-Fletcher Smith, 11-Gideon Wrampling, 12-Bailyn Sullivan, 13-Quinn Tupaea, 14-Liam Coombes-Fabling 15-Beaudein Waka
Reserves: 16-Steven Misa 17-Ollie Norris, 18-Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19-James Thompson, 20-Hugo Nankivell, 21-Cortez Ratima 22-Rivez Reihana 23-Louis Rogers
Waikato has made four changes to their starting 15 coming off the back of their tight 27-20 win over Taranaki last week.
In the forwards, Rob Cobb comes in a tighthead prop for Ollie Norris who drops to the bench, with other three changes in the backs, Xavier Roe, Gideon Wrampling and Quinn Tupaea all coming into the starting side.
On the bench, Steven Misa, Cortez Ratima and Louis Rogers will all get their chance to impress.
Manawatū v Southland
2:05pm Sunday November 1
Manfield, Fielding
Manawatū: 1-Tietie Tuimauga, 2-Sam Stewart, 3-Michael Alaalatoa, 4-Liam Mitchell, 5-Tom Hughes, 6-TK Howden, 7-Shamus Hurley-Langton, 8-Kirk Tufuga, 9-Bryn Wilson, 10-Ben Wyness, 11-Te Rangatira Waitokia, 12-James Tofa, 13-Josiah Maraku, 14-Nigel Ah Wong, 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder (c)
Reserves: 16-Gene Syminton, 17-Solomona Sakalia, 18-Kyle Stewart, 19-Micaiah Torrance-Read, 20-Johnny Galloway, 21-Griffin Culver, 22-Drew Wild, 23-Adam Boult.
The Turbos has made seven changes to their 23 players selected to play Southland with three of them in the starting 15.
Tietie Tuimauga and Tom Hughes coming into the starting side in the forward pack replacing Micaiah Torrance-Read and Solomona Sakalia who drop to the bench.
Jamie Booth is out for the season with a broken leg and is replaced by Bryn Wilson who comes in for his first start of the season.
On the bench, Gene Syminton, Kyle Stewart and Griffin Culver will all get their chance to impress.
Southland: 1-Ethan De Groot, 2-Greg Pleasants-Tate, 3-Siate Tokolahi, 4-Craig Smith, 5-Mike McKee, 6-Charles Alaimalo, 7-Matthew James, 8-Tony Lamborn (c), 9-Logan Crowley, 10-Scott Eade, 11-Kieran Lee, 12-Raymond Nu’u, 13-Isaac Te Tamaki, 14-Tevita Latu, 15-Matthew McKenzie
Reserves: 16 Sabastian Siataga, 17 Joseph Walsh, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Joe Robins, 20 Nathan Va’atausili, 21 Liam Howley, 22 Brad Armstrong, 23 Jaye Thompson.
The Stags has 15 changes to the side that was selected for last weeks loss to Tasman.
In the forwards, there is a brand new front-row with Ethan De Groot, Greg Pleasants-Tate and Siate Tokolahi all getting starts. Mike McKee comes in at lock, while Matthew James gets his chance at openside flanker.
In the backs, Logan Crowley and Scott Eade will get thier chance in the halves, while Matthew McKenzie comes in at fullback.
On the bench, Sabastian Siataga, Joseph Walsh, Chris Apoua and Liam Howley all get another opportunity after being dropped from the starting side.
Bay of Plenty v Hawke's Bay
2:05pm Sunday November 1
Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
Bay of Plenty: 1-Jordan Lay, 2-Kurt Eklund, 3-Jeff Thwaites, 4-Stan Van Den Hoven, 5-Kane Le'auppe, 6-Joe Johnston, 7-Mitchell Karpik, 8-Sam Dickson, 9-Luke Campbell, 10-Otere Black (c), 11-Joe Webber, 12-Chase Tiatia, 13-Matthew Skipwith-Garland, 14-Emoni Narawa, 15- Kaleb Trask
Reserves: 16-Nathan Vella, 17-Tevita Mafileo, 18-Ross Geldenhuys, 19-Scott Curry, 20-Zane Kapeli, 21-Leroy Carter, 22-Dan Hollinshead, 23-Cole Forbes
The Steamers have named an unchanged 23 for their clash against Hawke's Bay after thrashing Canterbury last time out.
Kane Le'aupepe will play his blazer game (15th game), while Jeff Thwaites will run out for his 50th game for Bay of Plenty.
Taranaki v Counties Manukau
4:35pm Sunday November 1
TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood
Taranaki: 1-Reuben O'Neill, 2-Ricky Riccitelli, 3-Ben May, 4-Josh Lord, 5-Findlamor Hoeata, 6-Mitchell Brown (c), 7-Lachlan Boshier, 8-Kaylum Boshier, 9-Lisati Milo-Harris, 10-Stephen Perofeta, 11-Lewis Ormond, 12-Brayton Northcott-Hill, 13-Sean Wainui, 14-Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 15-Jayson Potroz
Reserves: 16-Bradley Slater, 17-Jared Proffit, 18-Donald Brighouse, 19-Mitchell Crosswell, 20-Tom Florence, 21-Wawrick Lahmert, 22-Codey Rei, 23-Lukas Halls
Taranaki head coach Willie Rickards has made three changes to the starting 15 which narrowly lost 27-20 to Premiership leaders Waikato last week.
Veteran prop Ben May returns from suspension, with Reuben O’Neill moving to loosehead, while captain Mitchell Brown switches from the second row to blindside flanker in place of Mitchell Crosswell who drops to the bench. Brown’s move sees the return of lock Findlamor Hoeata to the starting side to partner teenager Josh Lord.
The backline remains largely the same from seven days ago, the exception coming on the left wing where Southern’s Lewis Ormond replaces Codey Rei. Fullback Jayson Potroz will play his 20th and blazer game.
Counties: 1-Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2-Donald Maka, 3-Suetena Asomua, 4-Sam Slade, 5-Matiaha Martin, 6-Viliame Taulani, 7-Alamanda Motuga, 8-Kieran Read, 9-Jonathan Taumateine, 10-Jason Robertson, 11-Sione Fifita, 12-Orbyn Leger, 13-Nikolai Foliaki, 14-Kirisi Kuridrania, 15-Luteru Laulala
Reserves: 16-Zuriel Togiatama, 17-Conan O’Donnell, 18-Clinton Malolua, 19-Potu Leavasa, 20-Jonathan Kawau, 21-Cameron Roigard, 22-Kalione Hala, 23-Etene Nanai-Seturo
Skipper Orbyn Leger returns to the team, while Kieran Read will play his final match with the side.
Leger has been named at second-five and will captain the team again after missing last week due to niggling issues.
Read, who deputised as captain last week, will play his final game for the Union before heading back to Japan to continue his career with Toyota Verblitz.
More to come
