Injuries thin ranks in key match

Tom Wells PHOTO/FILE

The injury bug continues to bite for today's crucial Pink Batts Heartland Championship game at Cooks Gardens, on both sides of the pitch.

For hosts Steelform Wanganui, reserve first-five Tom Wells has not recovered sufficently from his bruised thigh and has withdrawn, with winger Sailosi Nagicu being promoted from the development team onto the bench.

Wells' departure sees him join a growing injured reserves list, which includes captain Peter Rowe.

However, Trust Aorangi South Canterbury are also without some key men today.

Fullback and 2012 top points scorer Liam Edwards is out with a thigh strain.

The Dunedin loan player scored a record 144 points in Heartland rugby last season and was sitting third on the list with 23 from South Canterbury's opening two games.

Waimate's Kurt Rooney, coming back from injury, slots in at fullback while first-five Sam Vaevae will take over the goal kicking duties.

The visitors won't lose too much steam in that department as the 20-year-old Cook Islander Vaevae was a late addition to South Canterbury's Heartland campaign after having played for Pakuranga United in Auckland this year as their regular kicker.

He scored 20 points as Pakuranga thumped University 55-12 in the premier final to win the prestigious Gallaher Shield for the first time.

Lock Luke Brice has also withdrawn, with South Canterbury captain Andrew Scarlett moving from flanker to cover his absence, while Joeli Kotobolavu is promoted from the bench to the side of the scrum.

Today at Cooks Gardens, as part of the Blue September health campaign, Blue Check Undies will be on sale at the ground with $10 going to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The Wanganui Chronicle will have live halftime and fulltime score updates on our website.

Kickoff is 2.30pm.