Rugby: Canterbury hit by injury ahead of Shield defence

Canterbury skipper George Whitelock has been ruled out of Friday's game against Taranaki with a sprained ankle. Photo / Getty Images

Injuries have ruled skipper George Whitelock and second five-eighth Ryan Crotty out of Canterbury's Ranfurly Shield rugby defence against Taranaki on Friday night.

Whitelock sprained an ankle in the Air NZ Cup defeat to Bay of Plenty two weeks ago.

He played 55 minutes in the Shield defence against Otago last weekend, but a decision has been made to give his ankle a rest.

Crotty hasn't recovered from a heavy tackle against Otago.

Canterbury coaches Rob Penney and Tabai Matson today named Matt Todd as Whitelock's replacement at openside flanker, while Tim Bateman will move in one spot to take the No 12 jersey.

Bateman will also assume the captaincy for the Air NZ Cup leaders.

Casey Laulala, who played 41 minutes as a substitute against Otago, will start at centre.

In two other changes, hooker Corey Flynn and halfback Andy Ellis have been included in the starting 15, after coming off the bench against Otago.

Chris Small is added to the bench as back cover, while loose forward Aaron McCoy gets his first call-up into the Canterbury 22.

Canterbury
Sean Maitland, Tu Umaga-Marshall, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman (captain), James Paterson, Stephen Brett, Andy Ellis, Ash Parker, Matt Todd, Michael Paterson, James Broadhurst, Samuel Whitelock, Peter Borlase, Corey Flynn, Andrew Olorenshaw.

Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Rodney Ah You, Nasi Manu, Aaron McCoy, Tyson Keats, Adam Whitelock, Chris Small.

- NZPA