Official team lists and injury news for this week's provincial rugby championship games.
The All Blacks have released three players for Mitre 10 Cup before they fly out to Australia on Sunday for the Tri Nations campaign - Cullen Grace and Mitch Dunshea for Canterbury, and Akira Ioane for Auckland.
Otago v Northland
7:05pm Friday, October 23
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Otago: 1-Jamie Mackintosh, 2-Liam Coltman, 3-Josh Hohneck, 4-Jack Regan, 5-Josh Dickson, 6-Charles Elton, 7-Dylan Nel, 8-Sione Misiloi, 9-Kayne Hammington, 10-Jono Hickey, 11-Jona Nareki, 12-Matt Whaanga, 13-Josh Timu, 14-Freedom Vahaakolo, 15-Michael Collins
Reserves: 16-Ricky Jackson, 17-Jonah Aoina, 18-Hisa Sasagi, 19-Will Tucker, 20-Nasi Manu, 21-James Arscott, 22-Harrison Boyle, 23-Giovanni Leituala
One-test All Black Josh Ioane and Highlanders fullback Vilimoni Koroi have been axed for disciplinary reasons.
The pair have reportedly breached team protocol after last weekend's game and are unavailable for selection this week.
Northland: 1-Luatangi Li, 2-Jordan Olsen (c), 3-Kalolo Tuiloma, 4-Josh Goodhue, 5-Temo Mayanavanua, 6-Tom Robinson, 7-Kara Pryor, 8-Matt Matich, 9-Will Grant, 10-Dan Hawkins, 11-Pisi Leilua, 12-Kalani Going, 13-Rene Ranger, 14-Jone Macilai, 15-Scott Gregory
Reserves: 16-Paddy Atkins, 17-Ross Wright, 18-Coree Te Whata-Colley, 19-Sam Caird, 20-Rob Rush, 21-Sam Nock, 22-Johnny Cooper, 23-Brady Rush
Northland captain Jordan Olsen will play his 50th provincial match when he leads the Taniwha against Otago.
Four changes to the starting side see prop Luatangi Li, lock Temo Mayanavanua, halfback Will Grant and midfielder Kalani Going elevated.
Bay of Plenty v Canterbury
2:05pm Saturday, October 24
Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
Canterbury: 1-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2-Shilo Klein, 3-Tamaiti Williams, 4-Mitchell Dunshea, 5-Sam Darry, 6-Reed Prinsep (c), 7-Tom Christie, 8-Cullen Grace, 9-Ereatara Enari, 10-Fergus Burke, 11-Josh McKay, 12-Rameka Poihipi, 13-Ngatungane Punivai, 14-Chay Fihaki, 15-Andrew Knewstubb
Reserves: 16-Scott Mellow, 17-Finlay Brewis, 18-Fletcher Newell, 19-Luke Romano, 20-Billy Harmon, 21-Mitchell Drummond, 22-Brett Cameron, 23-Dallas McLeod
Mitchell Dunshea and Cullen Grace return to Canterbury's starting line-up after being released by the All Blacks for this weekend's match.
Dunshea will start at lock, with Grace at No. 8. The other change to the starting side sees Ereatara Enari start at halfback over Mitchell Drummond.
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 Stemers make four changes to their starting 15 this week, with Jeff Thwaites, Sam Dickson, Mitchell Karpik oming into the pack and Emoni Narawa coming onto the wing.
Dropping out of the starting side are, Ross Geldenhuys - who goes to the bench and Keepa Mewett Joe Tupe, Regan Ware, all drop out of the matchday 23. Nathan Vella, Zane Kapeli come onto the bench.
Hawke's Bay v Manawatū (Ranfurly Shield)
4:35pm Saturday, October 24
McLean Park, Napier
Hawke's Bay: 1-Pouri Rakete-Stone, 2-Ash Dixon, 3-Joe Apikotoa, 4-Geoff Cridge, 5-Tom Parsons, 6-Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 7-Brendon O'Connor, 8-Devan Flanders, 9-Folau Fakatava, 10-Lincoln McClutchie, 11-Neria Fomai, 12-Danny Toala, 13-Stacey Ili, 14-Lolagi Visinia, 15-Caleb Makene
Reserves: 16-Kianu Kereru-Symes, 17-Jason Long, 18-Joel Hintz, 19-Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20-Gareth Evans, 21-Connor McLeod, 22-Jonah Lowe, 23-Kurt Baker
The Magpies have made three changes to their starting XV with all of them coming in the backline.
Wing Neria Fomai, second-five Danny Toala and fullback Caleb Makene all come into the side as Hawke's Bay look to defend the Log o' Wood for the second consecutive week.
Manawatū: 1-Solomona Sakalia, 2-Sam Stewart, 3-Michael Alaalatoa, 4-Micaiah Torrance-Read, 5-Liam Mitchell, 6-TK Howden, 7-Shamus Hurley-Langton, 8-Kirk Tufuga, 9-Jamie Booth (c), 10-Ben Wyness, 11-Te Rangatira Waitokia, 12-James Tofa, 13-Josiah Maraku, 14-Nigel Ah Wong, 15-Nehe Milner-Skudder
Reserves: 16-Siua Maile, 17-Tietie Tuimauga, 18-Paulo Leleisiuao, 19-Teofilo Paulo, 20-Johnny Galloway, 21-Bryn Wilson, 22-Drew Wild, 23-Adam Boult
The Turbos have made a host of changes to their starting side as they search for their first win of the season.
Kirk Tufuga will make his debut at No. 8 while Solomona Sakalia starts his first game in the green and white. Teofilo Paulo drops to the bench with Liam Mitchell returning to lock allowing TK Howden back to the blindside after he had a week off last week, while Shamus Hurley-Langton returns to the openside trading places with Johnny Galloway.
In the backs, Te Rangatira Waitokia takes the left wing spot of Newton Tudreu and Ben Wyness starts at No. 10 after Stewart Cruden was injured last week.
North Harbour v Auckland
7:05pm Saturday, October 24
North Harbour Stadium, Albany
North Harbour: 1-Nic Mayhew, 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-Jack Heighton, 13-James Little, 14-Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 15-Shaun Stevenson.
Reserves: 16-Zane Turner, 17-Teague McElroy, 18-Jimmy Roots, 19-Xavier Cowley-Tuioti, 20-Tim Sail, 21-Lewis Gjaltema , 22-Antonio Mikaele-Tu’u , 23-Jared Page
North Harbour have made a couple of changes to their starting side, as Asaeli Tikoirotuma shifts from second-five to wing in place of Jared Page, who is on the bench. Jack Heighton replaces Tikoirotuma in the midfield.
Auckland: 1-James Lay, 2-Leni Apisai, 3-Marcel Renata, 4-Scott Scrafton, 5-Hamish Dalzell, 6-Adrian Choat (c), 7-Blake Gibson, 8-Akira Ioane, 9-Jonathan Ruru, 10-Harry Plummer, 11-Tanielu Tele'a, 12-Inga Finau, 13-Tumua Manu, 14-AJ Lam, 15-Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: 16-Mike Sosene-Feagai, 17-Jarrad Adams, 18-Marco Fepulea’i, 19-Liam Hallam-Eames, 20-Sione Tuipulotu, 21-Danny Tusitala, 22-Simon Hickey, 23-Joel Cobb
Alama Ieremia has made several changes to his starting side, which will see Akira Ioane play his 50th game for Auckland.
Flanker Adrian Choat will captain the side, with TJ Faiane ruled out with injury. Faiane has been replaced by Inga Finau, who will make his debut, while Joel Cobb is in line for his first appearance off the bench.
Other changes see lock Hamish Dalzell, Ioane and Tanielu Tele'a come into the starting side.
Tasman v Southland
2:05pm Sunday, October 25
Trafalger Park, Nelson
Tasman: 1-Ryan Coxon, 2-Andrew Makalio, 3-Samuel Matenga, 4-Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 5-Isaac Ross, 6-Hugh Renton, 7-Sione Havili, 8-Taina Fox-Matamua, 9-Finlay Christie, 10-Mitch Hunt, 11- Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12-Alex Nankivell, 13-Fetuli Paea, 14-Mark Talea, 15-David Havili (c)
Reserves: 16-Sam Moli, 17-Isi Tu'ungafasi, 18-Isaac Salmon, 19-Alex Ainley, 20-Anton Segner, 21-Louie Chapman, 22-Tim O'Malley, 23-Kieron Fonotia
Tasman make five changes to their starting XV, with Ryan Coxon, Samuel Matenga, Isaac Ross and Taina Fox-Matamua coming into the forwards, with Isi Tu'ungafasi, Alex Ainley dropping to the bench. and Tyrel Lomax and Jacob Norris dropping out of the 23.
In the backs, Fetuli Paea comes in for Kieron Fonotia, who drops to the bench.
Southland: 1-Joseph Walsh, 2-Sebastian Siataga, 3-Christopher Apoua, 4-Craig Smith, 5-Raymond Tatafu, 6-Charles Alaimalo, 7-Tony Lamborn (c), 8-Arese Poliko, 9-Liam Howley, 10-Greg Dyer, 11-Kieran Lee, 12-Raymond Nu’u, 13-Isaac Te Tamaki, 14-Tevita Latu, 15-Rory van Vugt
Reserves: 16-Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17-Niko Manaena, 18-Viliami Tosi, 19-Glenn Preston, 20-Jacob Coghlan, 21-Logan Crowley, 22-Scott Eade, 23-Jaye Thompson
Southland have continued to rotate their team, with No. 8 Arese Poliko, wing Kieran Lee, prop Niko Manaena and loose forward Jacob Coghlan all making their debuts against the Mako.
Rory van Vugt will start at fullback, with Josh Moorby ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Counties Manukau v Wellington
2:05pm Sunday, October 25
Navigation Hames Stadium, Pukekohe
Counties: 1-Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2-Donald Maka, 3-Conan O’Donnell, 4-Mickey Woolliams, 5-Potu Leavasa, 6-Sam Slade, 7-Alamanda Motuga, 8-Kieran Read, 9-Jonathan Taumateine, 10-Jason Robertson, 11-Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12-Latiume Fosita, 13-Sione Molia (c), 14-Tevita Nabura, 15-Luteru Laulala
Reserves: 16-Zuriel Togiatama, 17-Clinton Malolua, 18-Suetena Asomua, 19-Matiaha Martin, 20-Viliami Taulani, 21-Cameron Roigard, 22-Baden Kerr, 23-Kirisi Kuridrani
All Blacks Sevens star Sione Molia will captain the Counties Manukau Steelers for the first time, when they take on Wellington for the Jonah Lomu Trophy.
Molia takes over the reins from regular skipper Orbyn Leger, who is skipping this game due to niggling injuries.
Wellington: 1-Xavier Numia, 2-James O'Reilly, 3-Alex Fidow, 4-James Blackwell (c), 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, 13-Billy Proctor, 14-Wes Goosen, 15-Ruben Love
Reserves: 16-Tyrone Thompson, 17-Morgan Poi, 18-Ben Aumua-Peseta, 19-Caleb Delany, 20-Sam Smith, 21-Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, 22-Trent Renata, 23-Pepesana Patafilo
The Lions make four changes to their 23-man-squad, with two coming in the starting XV. The only change in the forward pack sees Mateaki Kafatolu at No.7 spot, after captain Du'Plessis Kirifi's elevation to the All Blacks.
In the backs, Connor Collins comes into the starting line-up, after an impressive cameo off the bench last week, with Kemara Hauiti-Parapara dropping to the reserves.
On the bench, Wellington have brought in replacement back Pepesana Patafilo and loose-forward Sam Smith.
Waikato v Taranaki
4:35pm Sunday, October 25
FMG Stadium, Waikato
Waikato: 1-Ollie Norris, 2-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3-Sefo Kautai, 4-Hamilton Burr, 5-Samipeni Finau, 6-Adam Thomson, 7-Luke Jacobson, 8-Liam Messam, 9-Cortez Ratima, 10-Fletcher Smith, 11-Valynce Te Whare, 12-Matty Lansdown, 13-Bailyn Sullivan, 14-Liam Coombes-Fabling, 15-Beauden Waaka
Reserves: 16-Sekope Lopeti-Moli, 17-Rob Cobb, 18-Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19-James Thompson, 20-Hugo Nankivell, 21-Rhys Dickinson, 22-Rivaz Reihana, 23-Gideon Wrampling
Waikato coach Andrew Strawbridge has been able to name a near-All Black loose forward trio, with veteran Liam Messam named at No.8 for his first start of the season, alongside Adam Thomson and captain Luke Jacobson, who plays his blazer game.
Fletcher Smith returns to the No.10 jersey, while Matt Lansdown and Bailyn Sullivan form a new midfield combination.
Taranaki: 1-Jared Proffit, 2-Ricky Riccitelli, 3-Reuben O'Neill, 4-Josh Lord, 5-Mitchell Brown (c), 6-Mitchell Crosswell, 7-Lachlan Boshier, 8-Kaylum Boshier, 9-Lisati Milo-Harris, 10-Stephen Perofeta, 11-Codey Rei, 12-Lukas Halls, 13-Sean Wainui, 14-Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 15-Jayson Potroz
Reserves: 16-Bradley Slater, 17-Chris Gawler, 18-Donald Brighouse, 19-Findlamor Hoeata, 20-Tom Florence, 21-Wawrick Lahmert, 22-Brayton Northcott-Hill, 23-Lewis Ormond
Minor injuries to No.8 Pita Gus Sowakula and second five-eighth Daniel Waite see Kaylum Boshier return to the starting forward pack, while Tukapa’s Lukas Halls will start in the No.12 jersey.
Bulls coach Willie Rickards has also made several tweaks to the run-on side, with halfback Lisati Milo-Harris returning, along with experienced loose forward Mitchell Crosswell.
The latter’s return sees captain Mitchell Brown move into the second row to partner young Coastal lock Josh Lord, while further experience has been added to the backline, with Codey Rei named on the left wing.
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