ITM Cup crossover Northland v Counties Manukau Toll Stadium, Whangarei Saturday, 7.35pm There is much movement on the Counties Manukau bench as the Premiership cellar-dwellers face winless Northland from the Championship in a crossover match that assumes vital importance for both sides.
There is a whole new reserves bench with the exception of propSean Bagshaw. Two new players get the opportunity to make their Steelers debut. They are lock Harry FitzSimons from the Karaka club, a 2013 Auckland Grammar First XV captain. He has been playing for the Counties Manukau Development side, while former Manu Samoa international halfback Pele Cowley joins the Steelers replacing Augustine Pulu whose return-to-play time from arm surgery has been extended.
Cowley played in the historic match in Samoa against the All Blacks on July 8 and appeared in club rugby for Pukekohe prior to the international window.
Dan Hyatt and veteran No 10 Willie Walker both return from injury and are joined by Michael Lea, John Tu'ungafasi and Sione Fifita on the pine.
Sam Aiono comes into the front row, replacing Jarrod Firth, who is out with a leg injury and expected to be back next week. Locks Sikeli Nabou and Viliame Rarasea swap numbers. Jordan Taufua takes over the No 6 jersey and the captain's armband with Jimmy Tupou suspended for the week for 'dangerous charging into a ruck', while Maama Vaipulu comes back in at No 8 after a minor hand injury. Tupou's absence means Northland may look to target the Steelers' lineout, as he is the kingpin.
The match kicks off at 7.35pm on Saturday from Toll Stadium in Whangarei. Counties Manukau: Toni Pulu, Frank Halai, Cardiff Vaega, Johnny Fa'auli, Sam Vaka, Piers Francis, Richard Judd, Maama Vaipulu, Sam Henwood, Jordan Taufua (c), Sikeli Nabou, Viliame Rarasea, Sam Aiono, Gafatasi Sua, Pauliasi Manu; Reserves: Michael Lea, Sean Bagshaw, John Tu'ungafasi, Harry FitzSimons, Dan Hyatt, Pele Cowley, Willie Walker, Sione Fifita
