Rugby: Plenty of motivation for Vito against ABs

Victor Vito will have a few things to prove on Friday when he captains a Wellington team against the All Blacks in a warm-up match at Lower Hutt.

Vito was not wanted by the national selectors for the Rugby Championship after being included in the squad for the June tests against France. He started at blindside flanker for the final test in New Plymouth but struggled to impose himself.

The match at the Hutt Rec ground will be Wellington's final pre-season hit-out before their ITM Cup campaign kicks off six days later in the season opener against Counties at Pukekohe.

Also involved on Friday are Canterbury, with all three teams playing three halves.

A Wellington XV will face the Cantabrians at 4pm, while the Wellington Lions will face the All Blacks, starting at approximately 5.50pm. The Cantabrians and All Blacks will play 40 minutes between these two halves at approximately 4.55pm.

Wellington XV to face the Cantabrians:
1. Donald Brighouse, 2. Matt Treeby, 3. Steve Fa'atau, 4. Vaea Fafita, 5. Shahn Eru, 6. Pau Halifihi, 7. Mateaki Kafatolu (c), 8. Dean Brunsdon, 9. Jared Kahu, 10. Hamish Buick, 11. Joe Hill, 12. Marvin Karawana, 13. Paulo Aukuso, 14. Jeff Makapelu, 15. Faatau Mamea. Reserves: 16. Sefo Setafano, 17. Lene Nuu'uli, 18. Presley Tufuga, 20. Tomasi Palu.

Wellington Lions to face the All Blacks:
1. Tolu Fahamokioa, 2. Eugene Smith, 3. Taniela Koroi, 4. Mark Reddish, 5. Kaipati Gaualofa, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Adam Hill, 8. Victor Vito (c), 9. Frae Wilson, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 11. Afa Fa'atau, 12. Shaun Treeby, 13. Tim Bateman, 14. Alapati Leiua, 15. Sinoti Sinoti. Reserves: 16. Matt Treeby, 17. Donald Brighouse, 18. Jared Kahu, 19. Vaea Fafita.