Rugby: Flynn, Ellis on bench for Canterbury

Canterbury hooker Corey Flynn missed most of the Super 14 with a broken arm. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks Corey Flynn and Andy Ellis are set to make their comebacks from injury for Canterbury in the Air NZ Cup match against Tasman in Christchurch on Saturday.

Hooker Flynn broke his left arm in round two of the Super 14 in February and missed the rest of the competition. He has played for his Sydenham club over the past two weekends.

Ellis has recovered from rib fractures suffered in the Super 14 semifinal loss to the Bulls in Pretoria on May 23.

Another player returning from injury is winger Tu Umaga-Marshall, who will make his Canterbury debut as a replacement for James Paterson.

Umaga-Marshall, a signing from Wellington this season, has had a back injury but has performed well at club level.

Canterbury coach Rob Penney was pleased with the strengthening of his team's depth.

"It's great to have these guys back in the mix for us. All three have been training extremely hard in an effort to get back on the playing field and it's very pleasing to have them available for Canterbury."

Other changes to the team who beat Waikato 46-13 last Friday are at loosehead prop, where Andrew Olorenshaw replaces Wyatt Crockett, lock where Luke Romano replaces Sam Whitelock, No 8 where Mike Coman comes in for Kieran Read and first five-eighth where Stephen Brett comes in for Dan Carter.

Tim Bateman moves in from centre to second-five, replacing Ryan Crotty, with Adam Whitelock, who will make his first start of the season, slotting in at centre.

It will be Romano's debut for Canterbury, with Olorenshaw making his first start.

Crockett, Read and Carter are on All Blacks duty in Sydney.

Prop Rodney Ah You comes into the 22 for the first time this season, as does High School Old Boys fullback Chris Small.

Canterbury
Colin Slade, Sean Maitland, Adam Whitelock, Tim Bateman, Tu Umaga-Marshall, Stephen Brett, Tyson Keats, Mike Coman, George Whitelock (captain), Michael Paterson, James Broadhurst, Luke Romano, Peter Borlase, Ti'i Paulo, Andrew Olorenshaw.

Reserves: Corey Flynn, Rodney Ah You, Sam Whitelock, Matt Todd, Andy Ellis, Ryan Crotty, Chris Small.

- NZPA