McCaw to fetch glory for Cantabs
Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:59
All Black captain Richie McCaw has been named in the starting line-up for Canterbury in their Air New Zealand Cup semifinal match against Hawke's Bay in Christchurch on Saturday.
McCaw came off the reserves bench to play the final 25 minutes of Canterbury's 48-10 victory over Tasman in last weekend's quarterfinal.
He takes over the No.7 jersey from George Whitelock, who has been named among the replacements.
Canterbury coach Rob Penney paid credit to Whitelock's performances this season, saying: "George has played fantastically well at openside flanker for us. His progression throughout the season has really impressed me. Richie has got the nod over him for Saturday but George will continue to play an important role on the bench."
The rest of the starting line-up is the same as that which took the field against Tasman.
There are two changes on the replacement bench - with hooker Steve Fualau coming in for Ti'i Paulo, whose knee injury suffered against Tasman has ruled him out for the rest of the season.
In the other change, loose forward Nasi Manu comes into the squad, replacing James Broadhurst.
Manu, who has had ankle and back injuries, last played for Canterbury when coming off the bench against North Harbour in the Round Six victory at Albany on September 6. He has been cleared to return after playing for the Canterbury Colts against their Auckland counterparts last weekend.
Penney added: "It's great to see Nasi back. He is a special talent and has brought great enthusiasm to the group since his return."
Canterbury: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Paul Williams, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 James Paterson, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Hayden Hopgood, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Steve Fualau, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Nasi
Manu, 19 George Whitelock, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Hamish Gard, 22 Adam Whitelock.
Date: Saturday, October 18
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
Touch judges: Chris Pollock and Garratt Williamson
