Samoa lock-loosie Kane Thompson will return to the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby side for tomorrow night's ITM Cup clash against Tasman at Napier's McLean Park.
With regular Magpies captain and No8 Mike Coman requiring another match off to allow his neck injury more recovery time Thompson will start in that position.
Magpies
co-coach Peter Russell said Coman was expected to be fit for Friday night's game against Wellington at McLean Park.
In the wake of Thompson's return, New Zealand Maori and Hurricanes loosie Karl Lowe will return to his regular openside flanker's role.
The only other change to the pack who started in last Thursday night's emphatic win against North Harbour will see experienced Samoan tighthead prop Anthony Perenise start instead of under-20 world champion Ben Tameifuna ,who will be on the subs bench.
Changes to the starting backline will see Isaac Paewai replace former Makos halfback Kahn Fotuali'i in what will be Paewai's ITM Cup debut, Fotuali'i replace the injured Daniel Kirkpatrick at first five-eighth, Ryan McLeod come in for the injured Andrew Horrell at second five-eighth and Sinoti Sinoti take over from the injured Tu Umaga-Marshall on the right wing.
Fotuali'i has recovered from a whack to the jaw collected against Harbour. Coman is joined on the injury list by Umaga-Marshall (groin), Horrell (groin), Kirkpatrick (leg) and halfback Chris Eaton (ribs).
Prop Kaas Lealamanua has recovered from a shoulder injury collected in the Queen's Birthday pre-season loss to Counties-Manukau, fullback Mark Jackman from a groin injury collected in the first-round loss to Manawatu, midfield back Star Timu from his ankle injury collected during training a fortnight ago and lock Maselino Paulino from a knee injury.
Russell has stressed his troops can't afford to take the winless Makos lightly.
At the same time he will urge the top-of-the-table Magpies to utilise the excitement the likes of Paewai and substitute backs, world champion under-20 halfback Brad Weber and wider training group first five-eighth Ihaia West, bring into the side.
Should Weber and West get game time off the bench it will be their first-class debuts for the Magpies.
