KEY POINTS:
Canterbury have changed a third of their team from last week's starting lineup for Thursday's Air NZ Cup rugby match against Taranaki.
Halfback Tyson Keats and winger Steve Yates replace Kevin Senio and Scott Hamilton respectively, with Paul Williams switching from wing to fullback to accommodate Yates' return to the run-on side.
In the forwards, Hayden Hopgood and Michael Paterson take over as flankers from Johnny Leo'o and Kieran Read, who are both on the bench.
Prop Ben Franks has recovered from an ankle injury and will start at tighthead ahead of Campbell Johnstone, who is on the bench.
Canterbury, one of the two unbeaten teams in the competition, repelled Hawke's Bay's Ranfurly Shield challenge 44-6 last Saturday.
Two changes have also been made to the bench. Hooker Mikaele Tuu'u and halfback Steve Alfeld come into the mix, taking the places of Steve Fualau and Senio respectively.
Fualau will play for Canterbury B against Southland on Saturday, while Senio has been sidelined with a neck strain.
Alfeld was a member of the Canterbury Development side that toured Australia earlier in the year and will make his Canterbury debut should he get any game time.
Senio's injury is considered not serious.
Canterbury
Paul Williams, Rico Gear, Casey Laulala, Hamish Gard, Steven Yates, Stephen Brett, Tyson Keats, Mose Tuiali'i, Hayden Hopgood, Michael Paterson, Kevin O'Neill, Isaac Ross, Ben Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: Mikaele Tuu'u, Campbell Johnstone, Kieran Read, Johnny Leo'o, Steve Alfeld, Ben Nowell, Scott Hamilton.
- NZPA
