Schoolboy on wing recalls earlier era

Manawatu have revived memories of an earlier era by plucking schoolboy Andre Taylor away from the classroom and on to the right wing for their national championship match against Taranaki tomorrow.

The selection of Taylor, a Year 13 pupil at Palmerston North Boys High and in his third year in the first XV, brings to mind the comet-like career of another Manawatu flier, Craig Wickes.

His only All Black appearance, off the bench for a few minutes against Fiji at Eden Park in 1980, came while still at PNBHS, aged 18 years 196 days.

Wickes remains the second youngest All Black, after Lou Paewai in the 1920s. Injuries cut his career prematurely short.

Taylor, 18, is worth his place, according to Manawatu coach Dave Rennie.

"He's a good kid and he's skilled. He's obviously got the skills or we wouldn't have asked him," he said.

Taylor admitted when he got the call to join the squad a week ago, "I was excited inside, but I was trying to hold it back, keep calm at the same time".

Manawatu are yet to get a win in the Air New Zealand Championship, as are Taranaki.

* For the second time this week, Waikato coach Warren Gatland has been forced to make backline changes from his chosen XV to play Otago at Carisbrook tomorrow.

First he was deprived of flashing wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, after the All Black selectors reversed an earlier decision and hooked him from the Waikato squad for the game, and yesterday, his other first choice wing, Roy Kinikinilau, dropped out with a groin strain. Fullback Sosene Anesi reverts to right wing, Roger Randle goes back to the left wing and Loki Crichton gets his first start in the competition at fullback.

Greg Zampach is rewarded for a lively tryscoring turn off the Otago bench last Sunday with a start on the right wing, Toby Morland replaces Chris Smylie at halfback and Grant Polson takes over at loosehead prop from Keith Cameron.

* Counties Manukau fullback Koiatu Koiatu is ruled out for Sunday's visit of Northland to Mt Smart Stadium with a shoulder injury, his place likely to go to Lance Easton when the starting XV is confirmed today.

Otherwise the team is expected to be close to that thumped 51-29 by Hawkes Bay last weekend, coach Kevin Putt reasoning they will be the better for a rude wakeup call in Napier.

Northland have captain David Holwell back at first five-eighths and former Blues flanker Justin Collins starts his first championship game after returning from a long term Achilles tendon injury.

* Auckland and North Harbour wouldn't name their teams yesterday for their back-to-back home games against Bay of Plenty and Wellington respectively on Sunday. Bay coach Andre Bell has dropped first five-eighths Murray Williams for the trip to Eden Park, introduced Charles Baxter and Lance MacDonald into the backline, while Solomon King gets his chance at No 8, with regular Warren Smith bracketed at lock with Mark Sorenson.

* Canterbury's defence of the Ranfurly Shield gets its first serious examination when they host Southland at Jade Stadium tonight minus their coterie of All Blacks.