Rugby: Hammett to start against Taranaki

All Black hooker Mark Hammett returns to the Canterbury team for their NPC rugby semifinal against Taranaki in Christchurch tomorrow night.

Hammett and Todd Blackadder, who has recovered from a neck strain, are the only changes to the team who secured the Ranfurly Shield for the season with a 28-22 win against Northland last week.

Hammett's Canterbury appearances this season have been limited to second-half stints in the shield defences against Otago and Northland.

The nuggety hooker had surgery for a tendon injury as soon as the All Blacks completed their Tri-Nations test programme at the end of August, but his rehabilitation has gone smoothly and he has replaced his good friend and arch-rival, Matt Sexton.

Blackadder, as expected, returns at lock in place of Chris Jack, who takes Steve Lancaster's place in the reserves.

With the exception of Hammett, the pack is unchanged from that which performed outstandingly in Canterbury's 43-9 win against Taranaki last month.

Three changes have been made in the backs, with halfback Justin Marshall, centre Mark Mayerhofler and wing Marika Vunibaka taking over from Ben Hurst, Mark Robinson and Afato So'oalo, respectively.

Asked if it was a hard decision between Hammett and Sexton, Canterbury coach Robbie Deans said tough selection decisions had to be made every week.

"The toughest call is for those members of the squad who miss out totally and have no involvement.

"The onus is on those in the 22 who get the opportunity to represent those who didn't. To me, whether they start or come on is not that significant. The important thing is what they put into their game while they're out there."

Canterbury held their final training outdoors yesterday morning, despite being lashed by a biting southerly wind and rain.

"They enjoyed it - it added a bit of excitement," Deans said, although the players were not available to support the statement.

Canterbury played superbly for the first 25 minutes against Taranaki in their round-robin match at New Plymouth, scoring at a point a minute and were never under threat.

Deans said both sides would be wanting strong starts in the semifinal.

"And I've no doubt it will be as physical and as intense as last time for the simple reason that at the end of the fixture, one side's season will be over."

With the shield safe for the season, Deans said the Canterbury players were approaching the NPC playoffs with real enthusiasm.

"There's genuine excitement and there's a genuine opponent. We have the reality it could be our last outing."

The atrocious weather yesterday could well turn the Jade Stadium surface into a heavy track tomorrow, but Deans said Canterbury were not worrying about the weather or the pitch.

- NZPA