Rugby: Canterbury out to make up for shield surrender

Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Getty Images

Sonny Bill Williams will be a protected species in Invercargill but another of New Zealand rugby's prized possessions remains under serious threat down south this weekend.

While security guards have been reminded to watch out for the All Black-in-waiting during the post-match crowd invasion at Rugby Park, Canterbury will only have eyes for the Ranfurly Shield when they visit Southland for the ITM Cup's top of the table clash tomorrow night.

The Williams phenomenon captivated Carisbrook last weekend when the high-profile league convert needed protection from his teammates as overzealous fans reached out to him.

But tomorrow night the visitors' priority will be making sure they take the Log o' Wood home, particularly after surrendering it to Southland last season.

The competition leaders' task has presumably been made easier by the All Blacks management removing their protective layer around rookie lock Sam Whitelock.

Given the Canterbury pack needs as much physical presence as it can muster when visiting the likes of Rugby Park, Whitelock's return, albeit in the unfamiliar role of blindside flanker, is pleasing for coach Rob Penney.

Whitelock was initially restricted to individual fitness work before the Bledisloe Cup/Grand Slam excursion to Hong Kong, Britain and Ireland after being rested from the Tri-Nations finale in Sydney on September 11.

But, the All Blacks selectors reviewed their handling of the 21-year-old, freeing him to play provincial rugby for the first time since Canterbury faced Bay of Plenty on September 3.

The Stags lost 23-6 in New Plymouth last weekend, but Penney expected to face a different side on their home paddock.

"Shield matches are very special and the boys are looking forward to what will be a very hard battle in Invercargill."

Canterbury were forced to make a late change to their line-up after former Southlander Corey Flynn was ruled out with a calf injury.

The All Blacks hooker, who missed last weekend's 35-20 defeat of Otago with a sternum injury, pulled up at training yesterday - Canterbury's last session before heading south for the top of the table national provincial championship ITM Cup clash at Rugby Park.

Flynn has been replaced in the starting line-up by Steve Fualau while Paul Ngauamo comes on to the bench.

Meanwhile, vulnerable Wellington are poised to benefit from All Blacks reinforcement as they strive to improve from a disappointing eighth placing on the ladder.

Embattled coach Andre Bell has Piri Weepu available for at least Sunday's trip to North Harbour while utility loose forward Victor Vito is also scheduled to play next weekend's home match against Taranaki.

Midfielders Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith are training but not certain of playing before the All Blacks fly out for Hong Kong on October 23 while Cory Jane is nursing a foot injury.

Despite Wellington's precarious position, Bell said he would not pressure his All Blacks to play.

"It comes down to them at the end of the day. They've got to ring the [All Black] coaches to express their interest in playing," he said.

Weepu said he was willing after a three-week break but warned his inclusion was not a cure-all.

"You can only do as well as the rest of the players," he said.

Bell accentuated the positive before taking on a struggling Harbour outfit noting that on 28 points, "we are only a win away from being in the top five."

Invercargill, 7.35pm tomorrow

SOUTHLAND
Glen Horton
Mark Wells
Matt Saunders
James Wilson
Tony Koonwaiyou
Robbie Robinson
Jimmy Cowan
Kane Thompson
Tim Boys
John Hardie
Joe Tuineau
Josh Bekhuis
Chris King
Jason Rutledge
J Mackintosh (c)

CANTERBURY
Sean Maitland
T Marshall
Robbie Fruean
S Bill Williams
Telusa Veainu
Colin Slade
Andy Ellis (c)
Nasi Manu
Matt Todd
Sam Whitelock
Isaac Ross
Luke Romanao
Peter Borlase
Steve Fualau
Wyatt Crockett

Southland: David Hall, Nick Barrett, Alex Ryan, Hua Tamariki, Scott Cowan, Seminar Manu, Pehi Te Whare.

Canterbury: Paul Ngauamo, Andrew Olorenshaw, Ash Parker, Brendon O'Connor, Willi Heinz, Stephen Brett, Ryan Crotty.

- NZPA