MacDonald out of Canterbury side

Leon MacDonald has withdrawn from the Canterbury rugby team to play Otago in Saturday's NPC match against Otago at Carisbrook.

MacDonald was named at first five-eighth initially but has been replaced by Cameron McIntyre after failing to recover fully from a knee injury he suffered against Wellington last week.

Steven Yates comes into the bench as cover for McIntyre.

Meanwhile, All Blacks Chris Jack, Richie McCaw and Aaron Mauger play their NPC games on Saturday following a break after the test season.

No 8 Mose Tuiali'i will miss the local derby due to a week's suspension following a dangerous tackle on Ross Filipo in last week's Ranfurly Shield clash with Wellington.

Halfback Jamie Nutbrown has been picked ahead of the promising Andy Ellis after speculation that Nutbrown's chances of a Super 14 contract next season could be in doubt after Canterbury signed up Bay of Plenty's Kevin Senio this week.

Try-scoring winger Scott Hamilton has been given a rest, allowing Fijian Vilimoni Delasau a place in the run-on side.

Johnny Leo'o will be at No 8.

Canterbury: Ben Blair, Vilimoni Delasau, Casey Laulala, Aaron Mauger, Caleb Ralph, Cameron McIntyre, Jamie Nutbrown, Johnny Leo'o, Richie McCaw, Reuben Thorne, Kevin O'Neill, Chris Jack, Campbell Johnstone, Tone Kopelani, Greg Somerville. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett, Hayden Hopgood, George Naoupu, Andy Ellis, Steven Yates, Scott Hamilton.

- NZPA