Wing David Johnston gets his first NPC rugby start for Bay of Plenty in one of two changes to the starting lineup for Sunday's match against Taranaki.
Johnston replaces another former Waikato player Filimone Bolavucu on the right wing from last week's team, while the other change has been forced at halfback with Kevin Senio on All Blacks duty.
Charles Hubbard will start in the No 9 jersey and Garrick Cowley comes onto the bench.
Despite two big losses to Otago and Canterbury, the only other changes are on the bench, where Tongan international prop Taufa'ao Filise replaces James Afoa and 112-game veteran Paul Tupai comes in for Warren Smith.
Centre Hayden Reid and reserve Reuben Parkinson were both passed fit after suffering head injuries in last Saturday's failed Ranfurly Shield challenge.
BOP: Adrian Cashmore, David Johnston, Hayden Reid, Grant McQuoid, Anthony Tahana, Murray Williams, Charles Hubbard, Colin Bourke, Nili Latu, Wayne Ormond (captain), Bernie Upton, Mark Sorenson, Ben Castle, Aleki Lutui, Simms Davison. Reserves: John Pareanga, Taufa'ao Filise, Paul Tupai, Matua Parkinson, Garrick Cowley, Reuben Parkinson, Filimone Bolavucu.
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES
Johnston wings into BOP starting team
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.