Wellington and Canterbury have each bolstered their side ahead of their ITM Cup match at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, the biggest fixture of the season to date.
The teams are each unbeaten, barely troubled, ahead of a match with the potential to determine the top qualifier for the Premiership semi-finals.
Wellington have mode four changes to the side that defeated Bay of Plenty 33-16, with former All Blacks prop John Schwalger returning from injury along with Hurricanes lock Mark Reddish, the latter inclusion seeing Brad Shields to shift to his favoured blindside flank role. Wellington's other change is at halfback, where Tomasi Palu replaces the injured Frae Wilson.
Canterbury, chasing a sixth successive title, meanwhile made five changes from the starting side that beat Otago 32-22. All Blacks management have released Colin Slade and Matt Todd to play, the former replacing Tom Taylor, who has been called into the All Blacks squad. Luke Whitelock returns at No.8, while Crusaders Super Rugby players Corey Flynn and Johnny McNicholl start having played off the replacements bench against the Razorbacks. McNicholl has not started a match since breaking a leg early in the Crusaders' Super Rugby season.
Wellington: Charlie Ngatai; Ambrose Curtis, Tim Bateman, Shaun Treeby, Joe Hill; Lima Sopoaga, Tomasi Palu; Victor Vito (captain), Ardie Savea, Brad Shields; Kaipati Gaualofa, Mark Reddish; Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Motu Matu'u, John Schwalger. Replacements: Reg Goodes, Eric Sione, Genesis Mamea, Adam Hill, Kayne Hammington, Tau Mamea, Afa Fa'atau.
Canterbury: Colin Slade; Patrick Osborne, Adam Whitelock, Ryan Crotty, Johnny McNicholl; Tyler Bleyendaal, Willi Heinz; Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd, George Whitelock (captain); Matt Symons, Luke Katene; Nepo Laulala, Corey Flynn, Joe Moody. Replacements: Ben Funnell, Paea Faanunu, Joel Everson, Jordan Taufua, Andy Ellis, Rob Thompson, Milford Keresoma.
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