KEY POINTS:
Wellington will roll out the big guns in the capital tonight, with All Black frontrowers turning out in provincial colours in an attempt to counteract Southland's scrummaging power in the first national championship semifinal.
The Lions have recalled All Blacks prop Neemia Tialata to start alongside John Schwalger,
with Tim Fairbrother and Jacob Ellison to come off the bench in a second wave as coach Jamie Joseph looks to neutralise the front row threat of the Stags captain Jamie Mackintosh and Chris King.
Wellington's livewire flanker Victor Vito is again omitted from the side - there's not even a place on the reserves bench for the sevens star.
But the Lions won't exactly be lacking power in the loose forward exchanges, with All Black regular Rodney So'oialo popping up in provincial colours to start at openside in place of the injured Scott Fuglistaller.
Specialist fetcher Serge Lilo returns to claim the loose forwards' bench spot after four weeks out with a knee injury suffered against Waikato.
After half-a-decade wondering where he best fitted for the All Blacks, Ma'a Nonu started all 10 tests this year at second five-eighths; but he has lost his grip on the Lions' No. 12 jersey after two underwhelming outings. The All Black finds himself shunted to the right wing to accommodate the return of Tane Tu'ipulotu into the Wellington line-up.
Nonu's international midfield partner Conrad Smith fared worse. Joseph also eschewed the chance to recall the All Blacks centre to his starting line-up, sticking instead with Tamati Ellison and naming Smith on the bench. A useful substitution card to play late in the match.
Southland have recalled centre Kendrick Lynn, who was named to play in last weekend's demolition of Bay of Plenty, in Mt Maunganui, but withdrew late in the piece with a sternum injury. Lynn's return sees Matt Saunders shift to the wing, with Mark Wells dropping to the bench.
The return of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw presented Canterbury's management with a no-brainer. The opensider will start for the red and blacks in tomorrow's second semifinal in Christchurch, replacing George Whitelock on the side of the scrum.
McCaw came off the reserves bench to play the final 25 minutes of Canterbury's comfortable 48-10 victory over Tasman in last weekend's quarter-final.
Canterbury coach Rob Penney said that although the call was tough on Whitelock, the decision hadn't been a hard one to make.
"It was reasonably straight forward in the end.
"He was keen to play and he is the premier player in the world in that position."
The rest of the starting line-up for Canterbury is unchanged but there are two changes in the reserves, with hooker Steve Fualau coming in for the injured Ti'i Paulo and looseforward Nasi Manu replacing James Broadhurst. Manu, who has suffered with unfortunate ankle and back injuries, last played for Canterbury in the round-six victory over North Harbour.
Hawkes Bay have named the same starting line-up that held off Waikato's late charge so impressively in Napier last Sunday.
Coach Peter Russell resisted the temptation to recall prop Clint Newland, who has returned to full contact training after a lengthy injury break.
Russell said the Otago-bound Newland - who will be loaned straight back to the Magpies for the 2009 domestic season - planned to concentrate on getting himself back to full fitness for the Highlanders Super 14 campaign.