Brett is back
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:50
Stephen Brett is set to make his first start of the season for Canterbury in their Air New Zealand Cup match against North Harbour at Albany Stadium on Saturday.
First five-eighth (No.10) Brett has been suffering from a couple of niggles that have taken time to settle, but played the final 20 minutes of Canterbury's convincing 44-15 win over Tasman last Saturday.
Against Tasman, Brett replaced Colin Slade at No.10, who impressed after his move to fullback. Slade will stay in the No.15 jersey this week, his first start as the last line of defence at provincial level. Paul Williams moves from fullback to wing.
Another change from last week is at second five-eighths (No.12) where Ryan Crotty will make his first start in the Air New Zealand Cup. He comes in for Tim Bateman who is on the replacement bench.
"This is a big opportunity for Stephen, Colin and Ryan against what will be a difficult North Harbour team," said Canterbury coach Rob Penney.
"Canterbury haven't beaten Harbour since 2003, so we know it's going to be a very tough test."
The 2003 match ended with Canterbury winning 18-10 at North Harbour. The next two seasons included two draws:
43-all in 2004 and 23-all in 2005. North Harbour prevailed 21-17 in 2006 and took the Ranfurly Shield. Canterbury did not play North Harbour last season.
* Meanwhile North Harbour coach Wayne Pivac was forced into making a number of changes - at least one through the All Blacks being pulled from the Air New Zealand Cup for the rest of this month.
With Anthony Boric returning to the All Black fold, Chris Smith moves from blindside flank to lock and Tom Chamberlain comes in at the side of the scrum.
The backline has been completely revamped.
Viliame Waqaseduadua is one of several players unavailable due to injury - with Ben Afeaki, James King, George Pisi, Bernie Upton and Nick Williams joining him on the sidelines.
Nafi Tuitavake comes in on the left win for Rudi Wulf and Jack McPhee replaces the injured Waqaseduadua on the right. Mike Harris moves from second five-eight (No.12) to outside centre in place of Anthony Tuitavake, who is also back in the All Black fold, with Jon Elrick coming in at No.12.
Further motivation for both teams will come in the form of the Kevin Gimblett Memorial Trophy which recognises the achievement and contribution of the former Canterbury second five-eighth from the 1970s - who went on to manage the North Harbour representative side and the New Zealand Under-19s and Under-21s.
The trophy was awarded to North Harbour in 2005 given that Gimblett's last rugby association was with their side. Canterbury have yet to win it.
Teams:
North Harbour: 15 Hayden Abercrombie, 14 Jack McPhee, 13 Mike Harris, 12 Jon Elrick, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Jimmy Gopperth (captain), 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Viliame
Maafu, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Tom Chamberlain, 5 Martin Purdy, 4 Chris Smith, 3 Michael Reid, 2 James Hinchco, 1 James Afoa.
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Sam Biddles, 18 Richard Mayhew, 19 Robbie Colhoun, 20 Matt France, 21 Josh York, 22 Jona Tuitoga.
Canterbury: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Adam Whitelock, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Paul Williams, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Hayden Hopgood, 6 Kieran Read (captain), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Steve Fualau, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Nasi Manu, 19 George Whitelock, 20 Steve Alfeld, 21 Tim Bateman, 22 James Paterson.
Date: Saturday, September 6
Venue: North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Kick-off: 19.35 (07,35 GMT)
Referee: Garratt Williamson
TMO: Vinny Munro
