Rugby: 'Used-to-knives' hooker makes unwelcome cut

It was a romantic evening and one thing led to another - but not in the way that Waikato hooker Guy Coleman would have wanted.

The 26-year-old Coleman has been sidelined from Waikato's NPC rugby match against Taranaki in New Plymouth tomorrow night after slashing his finger with a steak knife.

Coleman's visit to a lady friend's house turned ugly after they were unable to find a corkscrew to open a bottle of wine. Coleman tried to push the cork into the bottle with a knife and when it became stuck, he ripped the blade out and sliced open the index finger on his right hand.

"Coming from a farm and being used to knives, I thought I'd get it open with a knife," said Coleman. "You know what blokes can be like when females are involved. We go a bit dizzy to the head."

Nerves in the finger were severed and there was blood aplenty. He headed to the accident and emergency department where six stitches were inserted, and returned to find a visitor to his friend's house had found a corkscrew.

The disconsolate hooker should be ready for a return in the following round when Waikato defend the Ranfurly Shield against Southland. Coleman, who has started in the first two NPC matches, may have been on the bench this week anyway, as coach Kiwi Searancke was ready to give Fiji captain Greg Smith his chance.

Waikato will field a new-look front row, with Deacon Manu getting his first NPC start at tighthead prop in place of Paul Martin. The 21-year-old Manu was a bench player in the New Zealand Colts at the international tournament in Auckland this year.

He started his Waikato career from the bench in two non-championship matches last season, and has had a similar role in the opening NPC rounds this year.

Fullback Todd Miller returns for Grant McQuoid. Miller could not play in the opening round against Otago because he does not play on Sundays, and Searancke gave McQuoid a vote of confidence by also playing him against Northland. But Miller remains Waikato's No 1 choice.

Damian Karauna returns from injury but Nick Holten, Marty Holah, Clark McLeod and Mark Ranby were not considered.

Prop Tama Tuirirangi returns from suspension for Taranaki, while former New Zealand under-19 representative Craig Taylor starts ahead of Mark Urwin. Wellington loan wing Lome Fa'atau replaces Faapolou Soolefai.

Waikato: Todd Miller, Roger Randle, Keith Lowen, Scott McLeod, Bruce Reihana, Glen Jackson, Rhys Duggan, Deon Muir (capt), Marty Holah, Jonno Gibbes, Chresten Davis, Royce Willis, Deacon Manu, Greg Smith, David Briggs. Res: Grant McQuoid, Damian Karauna, Ben Willis, Dave Dillon, Tony Petero, Paul Martin, Anton Edwards.

Taranaki: Daryl Lilley, Neil Brew, Kerry Eynon, Mepi Faoagali, Lome Fa'atau, Craig Taylor, Brendan Haami, Campbell Feather, Neil Crowley, Darryl Fale, Andy Slater (capt), Paul Tito, Gordon Slater, Shane MacDonald, Tama Tuirirangi. Res: Faapolou Soolefai, Mark Urwin, Richard Jarman; Brent Thompson, Keith Robinson, Tony Penn, Daniel Smith.