Injury problems ease for BOP, but flu strikes

4.00pm

Bay of Plenty rugby coach Vern Cotter today had the luxury of naming the same starting NPC lineup for the third straight week.

A couple of players, however, remain doubtful for Saturday's home match against Wellington.

Cotter has bracketed Apoua Stewart with Charles Baxter on the right wing, with Stewart still suffering from flu.

Lock Bernie Upton has also been affected by flu but is expected to play at Blue Chip Stadium.

Elsewhere, the injury problems have eased. Halfback Ruki Tipuna ran freely at training and prop Simms Davison's chest injury has responded well to treatment.

There was a further boost for the team with centre Allan Bunting set to make his long-awaited comeback on Saturday for the Bay's development team.

Bunting, who broke a bone in his foot in June, was initially ruled out for the season but has made a good recovery.

Bay's midfield stocks are thin behind Grant McQuoid, Rua Tipoki and Robert Moon.

The Bay of Plenty team to play Wellington on Saturday at Blue Chip Stadium, Mount Maunganui:

Adrian Cashmore, Apoua Stewart/Charles Baxter, Rua Tipoki, Grant McQuoid, Anthony Tahana, Glen Jackson, Ruki Tipuna, Colin Bourke, Nili Latu, Wayne Ormond, Bernie Upton, Mark Sorenson, Ben Castle, Aleki Lutui, Simms Davison.

Reserves: Ngarimu Simpkins, Taufa'ao Filise, John Moore, Paul Tupai, Charles Hubbard, Robert Moon, Baxter/Damon Kaui.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES