KEY POINTS:
All Blacks Reuben Thorne and Andrew Ellis have been named on the reserve bench for Canterbury's Air New Zealand Cup opening match against Bay of Plenty in Christchurch on Saturday.
The pair are among 11 World Cup-bound All Blacks identified by national coach Graham Henry as needing more rugby.
However, Canterbury coach Rob Penney has opted to balance their needs with that of his side in a move he admitted would "spark interest".
"We've had to weigh up what is best for Canterbury as well as factoring in the needs of the All Blacks rugby World Cup squad members," Penney said.
"So it is a bit of a balancing act, but it's not too disruptive.
"While it is advantageous for our team having access to the quality and experience that Andy and Reuben represent, we also have to keep the bigger picture in mind.
"They will only be available to us for a couple more matches after the weekend, so we have to bed in the players and combinations that are going to serve us in the longer term."
Prop Greg Somerville will continue his campaign to be named as the 30th and final member of the World Cup squad.
Somerville, still rehabilitating from a torn Achilles tendon, will start on the tighthead side of the scrum, having operated from the loosehead side against North Harbour in a pre-season game last weekend.
The shift makes way for the return of Wyatt Crockett, who missed last weekend with injury, while Campbell Johnstone is on the reserve bench.
There are four changes to the Canterbury starting 15 who beat North Harbour 29-14.
Second-five-eighth Ben Nowell and halfback Kevin Senio come into the backline and while Crockett and blindside flanker Kieran Read are welcomed into the forward pack.
Midfield back Tim Bateman was the only change motivated by injury, having failed to recover fully from the hip-flexor injury he sustained against North Harbour.
Team: Scott Hamilton, Steve Yates, Casey Laulala, Ben Nowell, Paul Williams, Stephen Brett, Kevin Senio, Mose Tuiali'i, Johnny Leo'o, Kieran Read, Kevin O'Neill, Michael Paterson, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, (captain), Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Mikaele Tuu'u Campbell Johnstone, Reuben Thorne, Hayden Hopgood, Andrew Ellis, Hamish Gard, Sean Maitland
- NZPA
