Canterbury change two for Taranaki
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:29
Canterbury coach Rob Penney has made just two changes to his team to face Taranaki in an Air New Zealand Cup Round Four match in New Plymouth on Saturday.
Both changes are in the pack, where George Whitelock takes over at blindside flank from Hayden Hopgood, who drops down to the bench, and Steve Fualau starts at hooker ahead of Ti'i Paulo (also dropping down to the replacements).
There is one other change to the bench, with Peter Borlase providing front row cover ahead of fellow prop Owen Franks.
Playing against Taranaki in New Plymouth is never easy for any Canterbury team. The main reason is the passion that the locals feel for their rugby.
That is why Canterbury will be wary of travelling to New Plymouth. Coming off the back of a very impressive 34-3 win against Auckland, Rob Penney and his team will know that the challenge is to now maintain the same high standards as were set last Saturday.
Canterbury:
15 Paul Williams, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Adam Whitelock, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 James Paterson, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Kieran Read (captain), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Steve Fualau, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Richard Wheeler, 17 Peter Borlase, 18 Nasi Manu, 19 Hayden Hopgood, 20 Steve Alfeld, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Endo Kosuke.
Date: Saturday, August 23
Venue: Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Jonathon White
TMO: Brent Murray
