Masoe named on Wellington bench

All Blacks flanker Chris Masoe comes onto the reserve bench in Wellington's only change for their Air New Zealand Cup rugby semifinal against Auckland on Friday night.

Masoe hasn't played since injuring his ankle in the All Blacks' test win over South Africa in Pretoria six weeks ago but has passed fitness tests this week to be cleared to play at Eden Park.

Coach John Plumtree has retained Ben Herring as his starting openside flanker because of good recent form, including in last Friday's 36-23 quarterfinal defeat of Canterbury.

Winger Cory Jane didn't train again today because of a cut to his knee but he was deemed fit enough for selection.

Wellington:

Shannon Paku, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga (captain), Cory Jane, Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo, Ben Herring, Jerry Collins, Luke Andrews, Ross Filipo, Neemia Tialata, Mahonri Schwalger, Joe McDonnell.

Reserves:

Luke Mahoney, John Schwalger, Jeremy Thrush, Chris Masoe, Alby Mathewson, Miah Nikora, Lome Fa'atau.

- NZPA