The polarising North v South rugby fixture in Dunedin on Sunday has been further weakened by the withdrawal of four North players.
The match, organised to help bail out the financially stricken Otago Rugby Union, has received a luke-warm welcome from supporters, players and their Super Rugby coaches.
And now Alby Mathewson of the Blues, Chiefs pair Andrew Horrell and Michael Fitzgerald and New Zealand sevens player Charles Piutau have pulled out because of injury.
They have been replaced by two members of the Hurricanes' wider training squad, Frae Wilson and James Marshall, as well as Sherwin Stowers of the Blues and Fritz Lee of the Chiefs.
North coach Graham Mourie today confirmed Blues skipper Luke Braid will captain the side. As announced earlier this week, Highlanders hooker Jason Rutledge will captain the South.
