Official team lists and injury news for this week's provincial rugby championship games.
SOUTHLAND V OTAGO
7pm Friday, November 6
Rugby Park, Invercargill
Southland: 1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Greg Pleasants-Tate, 3-Siate Tokolahi, 4-Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 5-Mike McKee, 6-Charles Alaimalo, 7-Matt James, 8-Tony Lambourn, 9-Logan Crowley, 10-Scott Eade, 11-Tevita Latu, 12-Raymond Nu'u, 13-Isaac Te Tamaki, 14-Kieran Lee, 15-Rory Van Vugt
Reserves: 16-Telemaitoga Tuapati, 17-Joseph Walsh, 18-Chris Apoua, 19-Raymond Tatafu, 20-Jacob Coghlan, 21-Liam Howley, 22-Greg Dyer, 23-Jaye Thompson
The Stags have made just two changes from the team that lost to Manawatū last week, with high-flying Highlanders lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit returning to the second row and Rory Van Vugt elevated to fullback.
Otago: 1-Jamie Mackintosh, 2-Ricky Jackson, 3-Josh Hohneck, 4-Jack Regan, 5-Will Tucker, 6-Charles Elton, 7-Slade McDowell, 8-Dylan Nel, 9-Jono Hickey, 10-Josh Ioane, 11-Vilimoni Koroi, 12-Sio Tomkinson, 13-Josh Timu, 14-Freedom Vahaakolo, 15-Michael Collins
Reserves: 16-Henry Bell, 17-Jonah Aoina, 18-Hisa Sasagi, 19-Josh Hill, 20-Sione Misiloi, 21-James Arscott, 22-Aleki Morris-Lome, 23-Matt Whaanga
With former All Black Liam Coltman injured, Ricky Jackson moves into the starting hooker spot, with Henry Bell poised to make his Otago debut off the bench.
Midfielder Sio Tomkinson will bring up his 50th match for the province. Otago are also without Super Rugby veterans Josh Dickson at lock, Nasi Manu at No.8, Kayne Hammington at halfback and Jona Nareki on the wing.
AUCKLAND V NORTHLAND
2pm Saturday, November 7
Eden Park, Auckland
Auckland: 1-James Lay, 2-Soane Vikena, 3-Angus Ta’avao, 4-Hamish Dalzell, 5-Liam Hallam-Eames, 6-Presley Tufuga, 7-Niko Jones, 8-Sione Tuipulotu, 9-Jonathan Ruru, 10-Simon Hickey, 11-Salesi Rayasi, 12-Harry Plummer, 13-Tanielu Tele’a, 14-AJ Lam, 15-Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: 16-Leni Apisai, 17-Jarred Adams, 18-Marco Fepulea'i, 19-Felix Kalapu, 20-Terell Peita, 21-Danny Tusitala, 22-Willie Talataina, 23-Joel Cobb
With front-liners Scott Scrafton, Jack Whetton, Adrian Choat, Blake Gibson and TJ Faiane ruled out through injury, and centre Tumua Manu doubtful, coach Alama Ieremia has been forced into fielding a makeshift line-up against the Taniwha.
Lock Felix Kalapu, midfield William Talataina and loose forward Terrel Peita are poised to debut off the bench, while loose forward Presley Tufuga will make his first appearance of the season, after one previous game for Auckland.
Former All Blacks prop Angus Ta'avao and centre Tanielus Tele'a will return after injury absence, while the captaincy falls to first-five Simon Hickey.
Northland: 1-Luatangi Li, 2-Jordan Olsen (c), 3-Kaololo Tuiloma, 4-Josh Goodhue, 5-Sam Caird, 6-Rob Rush, 7-Kane Jacobson, 8-Sam Mcnamara, 9-Sam Nock, 10-Johnny Cooper, 11-Jone Macilai, 12-Tamati Tua, 13-Rene Ranger, 14-Brady Rush, 15-Mathew Wright
Reserves: 16-Mason Hohaia, 17-Tyler Kearns, 18-Coree Te Whata-Colley, 19-Fano Funaki, 20-Angus Stokes, 21-Will Grant, 22-Wiseguy Faiane, 23-Scott Gregory
Northland have made 10 changes with eight of them coming in the starting 15 after their 24-8 loss to North Harbour last time out.
The Taniwha have a brand new front row with Luatangi Li, captain Jordan Olsen and Kaololo Tuiloma all coming in. There is also a brand new lose forward trio with, Rob Rush, Kane Jacobson and Sam Mcnamara all getting their opportunity.
In the backs, Jone Macilai comes onto the wing, while Rene Ranger gets his chances at centre in place of Scott Gregory who drops to the bench.
On the bench, Mason Hohaia will make his debut, while Fano Funaki and Angus Stokes will get an opportunity to impress.
NORTH HARBOUR V COUNTIES MANUKAU
4:30pm Saturday, November 7
North Harbour Stadium
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-Jared Page, 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 Kade Banks.
A settled line-up for North Harbour, with a win, keeping the side in contention for the semi-finals.
The forward pack is the same unit which beat Northland in Whangarei last week and has featured strongly over the past few weeks.
In the backs, there is one change with Jared Page in at No.14 and Kade Banks into the reserves as his replacement.
Counties-Manukau: 1-Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2-Donald Maka, 3-Suetena Asomua, 4-Sam Slade, 5-Matiaha Martin, 6-Jonathan Kawau, 7-Alamanda Motuga, 8-Viliame Taulani, 9-Jonathan Taumateine, 10-Jason Robertson, 11-Sione Fifita, 12-Orbyn Leger, 13-Sione Molia, 14-Kirisi Kuridrani, 15-Etene Nanai-Seturo
Reserves: 16-Zuriel Togiatama, 17-Clinton Malolua, 18-Conan O’Donnell, 19-Viliame Rarasea, 20-Dylan Leckner, 21-Cameron Roigard, 22-Kalione Hala, 23-Luteru Laulala
Jonathan Kawau comes into the starting side, while Viliame Taulani shifts to No.8 to replace the departing Kieran Read.
All Blacks sevens star Sione Molia is back at centre, while fellow sevens ace Etene Nanai-Seturo is back starting at fullback.
TASMAN V CANTERBURY
7pm Saturday, November 7
Lansdown Park, Blenheim
Tasman: 1-Isi Tu'ungafasi, 2-Andrew Makalio, 3-Isaac Salmon, 4-Alex Ainley, 5-Quinten Strange, 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 Telea, 15-David Havili (c)
Reserves: 16-Quentin MacDonald, 17-Ryan Coxon, 18-Samuel Matenga, 19-Isaac Ross, 20-Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 21-Dwayne Polataivao, 22-Tim O'Malley, 23-Kieron Fonotia
Tasman have made three changes to their side that beat Wellington impressively last weekend. Hugh Renton comes in at blindside flanker in place of Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta who drops to the bench.
In the backs, the only change is Mark Telea who is back into the starting side replacing Tima Fainga'anuku who drops out of the matchday squad altogether. Kieron Fonotia comes onto the bench as the replacement back.
Canterbury: 1-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2-Brodie McAlister, 3-Oli Jager, 4-Luke Romano, 5-Sam Darry, 6-Billy Harmon, 7-Tom Christie, 8-Reed Prinsep (c), 9-Mitchell Drummond,, 10-Brett Cameron, 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-Tom Sanders, 21-Ereatara Enari, 22-Isaiah Punivai, 23-Andrew Knewstubb.
Canterbury make one change to their starting side after their shock 23-16 loss to Otago last week.
The one change comes at five-eight with one-test All Black Brett Cameron coming into the starting side in place of Fergus Burke who is unavailable.
On the bench, Influential loosie Tom Sanders returns to the side, while Isaiah Punivai comes onto the bench this week along with halfback Ereatara Enari.
HAWKE'S BAY V WELLINGTON (Ranfurly Shield)
2pm Sunday, November 8
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-Folau Fakatava, 10-Caleb Makene, 11-Jonah Lowe, 12-Neria Fomai, 13-Stacey Ili, 14-Lolagi Visinia, 15-Kurt Baker
Reserves: 16-Kianu Kereru-Symes, 17-Sona Taumalolo, 18-Namatahi Waa, 19-Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20-Solomone Funaki, 21-Connor McLeod, 22-Lincoln McClutchie, 23-Danny Toala
Hawke's Bay have made a handful of changes to their starting side as they look to lock away the shield for the summer with victory over Wellington.
Prop Joe Apikotoa, lock Geoff Cridge and loose forward Brendon O'Connor all return to the starting side after being resting last week, while Tom Parsons replaces the injured Bryn Evans in the starting side.
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- Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, 10-Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11-Julian Savea, 12-Vince Aso, 13-Pepesana Patafilo, 14-Wes Goosen, 15-Billy Proctor
Reserves: 16-Tyrone Thompson, 17-Morgan Poi, 18-Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 19-Taine Plumtree, 20-Sam Smith, 21-Connor Collins, 22-Trent Renata, 23-Ruben Love
Coach Leo Crowley has named Kemara Hauiti-Parapara to start at halfback, pushed Billy Proctor to fullback, and brought Pepesana Patafilo into the midfield.
WAIKATO V BAY OF PLENTY
2pm Sunday, November 8
FMG Stadium, Hamilton
Waikato: 1-Ollie Norris, 2-Steven Misa, 3-Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4-Hamilton Burr, 5-Samipeni Finau, 6-Adam Thompson, 7-Luke Jacobson, 8-Liam Messam, 9-Xavier Roe, 10-Rivez Reihana, 11-Patrick Osborne, 12-Bailyn Sullivan, 13-Quinn Tupaea, 14-Liam Coombes-Fabling 15-Beaudein Waka
Reserves: 16-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17-Tolu Fahamokioa, 18-Sefo Kautai, 19-James Thompson, 20-Hugo Nankivell, 21-Cortez Ratima 22-Louis Rogers, 23-Gideon Wrampling
Waikato have made five changes to their starting side with Ollie Norris, Steven Misa and Josh Iosefa-Scott forming a brand new front row while Rivez Reihana has been named to start at first-five with Patrick Osborne on the wing.
On the reserve bench, Tolu Fahamokioa, comes into the matchday 23 has a chance to record his second cap for the province.
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-Keepa Mewett, 20-Zane Kapeli, 21-Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22-Scott Curry 23-Fa'asiu Fuatai
The Steamers have named an unchanged starting 15 after their 22-17 victory over Hawke's Bay.
They have made three changes on the bench, with Fa'asiu Fuata, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Keepa Mewett all getting their opportunity to impress.
MANAWATū V TARANAKI
4:30pm Sunday, November 8
Manfield, Feilding
Manawatū: 1-Tietie Tuimauga, 2-Siua Maile, 3-Michael Alaalatoa, 4-Liam Mitchell, 5-Teofilo Paulo, 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-Stewart Cruden, 23-Drew Wild
The Turbos have made two changes in theri forward pack with hooker Siua Maile and lock Teofilo Paulo named in starting XV. The entire backline is unchanged from last week, while on the bench, Stewart Cruden returns from injury.
Taranaki: 1-Jared Proffit, 2-Bradley Slater, 3-Donald Brighouse, 4-Josh Lord, 5-Mitchell Brown (c), 6-Mitchell Crosswell, 7-Lachlan Boshier, 8-Kaylum Boshier, 9-Lisati Milo-Harris, 10-Stephen Perofeta, 11-Lewis Ormond, 12-Daniel Waite, 13-Sean Wainui, 14-Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 15-Jayson Potroz
Reserves: 16-Ricky Riccitelli, 17-Chris Gawler, 18-Reuben O'Neill, 19-Pita Gus Sowakula, 20-Tom Florence, 21-Wawrick Lahmert, 22-Lukas Halls, 23-Codey Rei
Taranaki makes eight changes with six of them in the starting side after their tight 31-27 loss to Counties Manukau last week.
There is a brand new front row with, Jared Proffit, Bradley Slater and Donald Brighouse all coming in. Captain, Mitchell Brown shifts from blindside flanker back to lock with Mitchell Crosswell coming into the starting side at flanker.
The only change in the backs is Daniel Waite coming in for Brayton Northcott-Hill who drops out of the matchday squad.
On the bench, Chris Gawler and Pita Gus Sowakula will get their opportunity to impress as Taranaki look to secure their playoff spot with a win.
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