Canterbury squad to take on Tasman named

Cullen Grace. Photo: Getty Images

Promising loose forward Cullen Grace will continue his comeback from an injury that sabotaged his Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign when he showcases his versatility in Canterbury’s final hit out before the Mitre 10 Cup campaign.

The 20-year-old, who has already been touted as a future All Black after starring in the original Super Rugby tournament this year, was invalided out of New Zealand’s domestic equivalent after breaking a thumb during the round three clash with the Chiefs in June.

Grace started at No 8 in last Friday’s Ranfurly Shield romp over North Otago at Rugby Park and a week later he spearheads an inexperienced loose trio at blindside flanker when Canterbury face Tasman in Hanmer Springs.

Bill Fukofuka replaces Grace while Mitch Gibson starts at openside for Highlanders-bound flanker Billy Harmon. Liam Allen drops to the reserves after debuting on the blindside in Canterbury’s only pre-season Shield defence.

In other changes to the starting line-up which opened the 71-7 rout of North Otago, Cameron Bailey starts at fullback for New Zealand sevens representative Andrew Knewstubb, Rameka Poihipi replaces Isaiah Punivai in midfield while Fletcher Newell starts at tighthead prop for Tamaiti Williams.

Canterbury co-coach Reuben Thorne admitted Allen was unlucky to miss the cut for the 37-man Mitre 10 Cup squad when it was unveiled on Wednesday.

Experienced Super Rugby players Reed Prinsep, Tom Sanders, Whetukamokamo Douglas and emerging star Grace meant Allen was on standby as injury cover.

“He’s been great right through club rugby,” Thorne said.

“He’s been in the academy system, he’s really put the work in and performed really well. He knows where he stands with us and he’s the guy we’ll go to if there’s an injury in that (loose forward) area.”

Thorne had a simple set of goals for the line-up to achieve.

“We just want to see a rise in intensity from the North Otago game, and for there to be a bit more clarity around our systems and new stuff we’ve introduced.

“They’ve had a bit more time with it now so things should look a bit sharper.”

Tasman named their squad on Tuesday with former Crusaders and Tasman utility back Kieron Fonotia a feature among the reserves bench. The 32 year-old former Samoan international left to play in Wales at the end of the 2016 season.

Crusaders prop Isi Tu’ungafasi and impact loose forward Sione Havili are the focal points of the starting line-up.

The match at the Hanmer Springs Domain kicks off at 1.30pm behind closed doors due to Covid-19 level 2 restrictions.

Canterbury, who were eliminated in the premiership semi-finals by eventual runners-up Wellington, open their campaign against North Harbour at Albany next Friday night.

Both teams agreed to name 25-man squads - two more players than usual.

Canterbury: Cameron Bailey, Chay Fihaki, Dallas McLeod, Rameka Poihipi, Manasa Mataele, Brett Cameron, Ere Enari, Bill Fukofuka, Mitch Gibson, Cullen Grace, Sam Darry, Luke Romano (capt), Fletcher Newell, Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis. Reserves: Shilo Klein, Scott Mellow, Troy Hallett, Caleb Aperahama, Zach Gallagher, Luke Donaldson, Isaiah Punivai, Dan Fransen, Fergus Burke, Liam Allen.

Tasman: Jamie Spowart, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tuli Paea, Alex Nankivell, Tima Faingaanuku, Tim O’Malley, Dwayne Polataivao, Hugh Renton, Sione Havili, Jake Norris (capt), Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Moni Ngakuru, Isaac Salmon, Quentin MacDonald, Isi Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: Kersh Sykes-Martin, Sam Moli, Sam Matenga, Blair Princep, Max Hicks, Cameron Suafoa, Anton Segner, Braden Stewart, Louie Chapman, Mitchell Barry, Campbell Parata, Kieron Fonotia, Nick Foxley.

Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup squad: Forwards: Codie Taylor, Brodie McAlister, Shilo Klein, Joe Moody, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Oli Jager, Harry Allen, Finlay Brewis, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Scott Mellow, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Mitchell Dunshea, Sam Darry, Tom Christie, Billy Harmon, Tom Sanders, Reed Prinsep, Cullen Grace, Whetukamokamo Douglas.
Backs: Mitchell Drummond, Ere Enari, Luke Donaldson, Richie Mo’unga, Brett Cameron, Fergus Burke, Rameka Poihipi, Brayden Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Isaiah Punivai, Ngatungane Punivai, Josh McKay, Chay Fihaki, George Bridge, Manasa Mataele, Andrew Knewstubb.

Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup Draw