Bay hope talented Bourke will be fit

Bay of Plenty have fingers crossed that talented loose forward Colin Bourke will be fit for tomorrow's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury.

The young No 8 has a calf injury which kept him out of training until yesterday. Bourke has been bracketed with experienced Warren Smith, but the Bay will need all hands available for a tough assignment at Jade Stadium.

Coach Vern Cotter has made three changes from last weekend's disappointing NPC loss at Otago.

Pacy Fijian Vilimoni Bolavucu replaces Apoua Stewart on the wing; halfback Kevin Senio returns from All Black duties in place of Charles Hubbard; and Nili Latu is back at No 7, with veteran Matua Parkinson on the bench.

Latu, who made a powerful impression for the Bay against the Lions, has been troubled by a back injury for the last six weeks but came on in the second half against Otago and is fully fit.

"In the last three NPC games last year he finished up on the physio's bed being repaired because of the manner he throws his body around," Cotter said.

Having Parkinson in the squad provided excellent cover in a high-impact position, he added.

It is a rematch of last year's shield clash at Mt Maunganui, when the roles were reversed. Canterbury won 33-26 but the Bay gave it a real shake and could have held on, just missing a try in the final moments.

Cotter is sure his team will step up from an ordinary effort at Carisbrook, and knows the shield will generate plenty of emotion.

* Gordon Slater plays his 100th NPC first-division game for Taranaki against Northland tomorrow.

Throw in a handful of second-division games and the former All Black tighthead joins Counties loose forward Allan Dawson on 118 NPC games, second to former Northland and Nelson Bays fullback Warren Johnston, who retired on 133.