Unwanted All Blacks first five-eighth Andrew Mehrtens will be on the bench for tomorrow's Ranfurly Shield defence against Hawkes Bay after missing training.
Coach Aussie McLean last night said Mehrtens' absence was due to a communication breakdown between the two over practice times.
"We had a change in our training day and
there was a miscommunication between Andrew and myself," McLean said.
"As a result Andrew missed our training and he's been named in the reserves for the Hawkes Bay game."
McLean said it was stated in Canterbury's protocols that players who were late or missed training could not be named in the starting XV.
"It's been a long-term thing and all players are aware of it. It's unfortunate but it's just one of those things that happens."
Mehrtens, the All Blacks' record test pointscorer, wasn't selected for the first three tests of this year and was also overlooked for the Tri-Nations squad of 26 named on Sunday.
His move to the bench is one of five changes to the side that beat North Otago 85-24 last week.
Marist-Albion player Cameron McIntyre will start in the No 10 jersey at Jade Stadium tomorrow while loose forward Clark McLeod returns to Canterbury colours after a three-year absence.
Injured prop Greg Feek is also out of the side and could be out of rugby for up to three weeks.
* Counties-Manukau are confident of fending off first division approaches towards New Zealand Colts first five-eighth Stephen Donald.
The promising Donald was instrumental in the Bryce Woodward-coached Colts' successful assault on the world under-21 title in England last week.
Donald is bound to come under close scrutiny from a variety of unions eager to snatch him away from second division Counties.
But Counties-Manukau chief executive Daniel Clifford said Donald wasn't going anywhere.
"I understand Southland chased after him last year but he wasn't transferred. He's signed with us for the next two years, so we are very happy with that."
- NZPA
