Tasman v Canterbury
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- Isi Tu'ungafasi, 2. Andrew Makalio (VC), 3. Isaac Salmon, 4. Alex Ainley (100 Games), 5. Quinten Strange, 6. Hugh Renton, 7. Sione Havili, 8. Taina Fox-Matamua, 9. Finlay Christie (50 Games), 10. Mitchell Hunt (VC), 11. Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12. Alex Nankivell, 13. Fetuli Paea, 14. Mark Telea, 15. David Havili (C). 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Ryan Coxon, 18. Sam Matenga, 19. Issac Ross, 20. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 21. Dwayne Polataivao, 22. Tim O'Malley, 23. Keiron Fonotia
Alex Ainley brings up 100 games.
Team as expected, except Renton is back as blindside flanker. Maybe looking for a bit more mobility against what is likely to be a small Canterbury loose trio.
Very pleased to see Sam Matenga back on the bench. Despite that Salmon went well vs Wellington, I think Matenga is our best scrummaging tighthead.
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CANTERBURY RELEASE
Influential loosie Tom Sanders returns to our bench for tomorrow's Mitre 10 Cup crunch match against our neighbours Ta$man, in Blenheim.
"Having Tom will be a big boost for us, he was in great form before his injury and we’re looking forward to that sort of contribution again on Saturday." Said co-coach Reuben Thorne.
The team will be skippered by Reed Prinsep, who partners Billy Harmon and Tom Christie to form the loose forward trio. Liam Allen, who’s renowned for his physical no nonsense style of play, gets another opportunity in the 20 jersey. Daniel Lienert-Brown, Brodie McAlister, and Oli Jager once again pack down in the front row, with youngsters Shilo Klein, Finlay Brewis and Tamaiti Williams set to add impact from the pine.
Brett Cameron will start at first five eight this week with Fergus Burke unavailable. Rameka Poihipi will slot in one spot if required, a position he excelled at during his time at Hamilton Boys High School. Isaiah Punivai comes onto the bench this week along with half back Ereatara Enari.
"We’re looking for a quality performance," said Thorne.
"Like every week, we’ve done our homework on the opposition. Ta$man are a well-drilled, quality side. But this has to be about us and getting the type of performance we can be proud of will take us a long way to getting the result we’re after."
Canterbury Team to play Ta$man
Daniel Lienert-Brown
Brodie McAlister
Oliver Jager
Luke Romano
Sam Darry
Billy Harmon
Tom Christie
Reed Prinsep (C)
Mitchell Drummond (VC)
Brett Cameron
Ngatungane Punivai
Rameka Poihipi
Dallas McLeod
Chay Fihaki
Josh McKayReserves
Shilo Klein
Finlay Brewis
Tamaiti Williams
Liam Allen
Tom Sanders
Ereatara Enari
Isaiah Punivai
Andrew Knewstubb -
@Chris-B You might have to keep talking to yourself throughout this thread. Nearly all of the Canterbury fans have disappeared for the meantime but will be back once they start winning again.
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I’m still here. Looking forward to the game. A decent lineup for the Cantabs.
Whether I’ll be back tomorrow after 80 minutes is another thing 😎
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@African-Monkey I was about to say - @ACT-Crusader is still here! Kudos!!!
I'd actually rather Canterbury didn't get relegated as they are my second team - but, if they can save themselves by beating Auckland, that will do nicely!
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@Chris-B @ACT-Crusader Hence why I said 'nearly' hahaha. Yes I was thinking of you @ACT-Crusader when writing it.
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On a more serious note, that Canterbury side should not be where they are. They're light in a couple of areas but their forward pack on paper is still one of the stronger ones in the comp. It's still a good enough side to challenge for the title imo.
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@African-Monkey said in Ta$man v Canterbury:
On a more serious note, that Canterbury side should not be where they are. They're light in a couple of areas but their forward pack on paper is still one of the stronger ones in the comp. It's still a good enough side to challenge for the title imo.
I agree
Depth is the main issue. Still, anything outside a top 3 finish should be considered a failure for that squad
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Canterbury looking good so far.
