All Black flanker Jerry Collins and hooker Luke Mahoney return to the Wellington team for tomorrow night's NPC first division rugby match and Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury in Christchurch.
The pair were the only two changes to the starting XV made by coach John Plumtree from the side who
beat Southland 53-12 last Saturday.
Collins makes his first appearance since the Tri-Nations competition and forces last week's No 6, Kristian Ormsby, out of the squad.
Mahoney returns to the starting side at the expense of Mahonri Schwalger, who drops to the reserves.
Wellington's two other All Blacks, Tana Umaga and Rodney So'oialo, are expected to return before the end of the NPC round robin on October 8.
All Black prop Greg Somerville returns to the Canterbury team for his first NPC match since last month's round two victory over Bay of Plenty, having been rested since the Tri-Nations.
His return sees Wyatt Crockett pushed to the reserves bench in the only change to the team who beat Waikato 23-15 to retain the Ranfurly Shield and move to the top of the NPC points table last Saturday.
All Blacks Richie McCaw, Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack and Daniel Carter - still recovering from a fractured leg - weren't considered, to give them more time to recover from a tough international season.
Hooker Corey Flynn has been bracketed with Tone Kopelani as he tries to overcome a shoulder injury.
A decision on Flynn's availability will be made later in the week.
- NZPA
