KEY POINTS:
Dynamic flanker Johnny Leo'o's return from injury highlights changes to the Canterbury side to play Wellington in an Air New Zealand Cup rugby semifinal against Wellington in Christchurch on Friday night.
After cracking a rib against Tasman three weeks ago, Leo'o is back to play his 71st match for Canterbury, and possibly his last on home ground.
Leo'o has spent eight years in the red-and-black jersey since his debut in 1999 and is off to France at the end of the month to join the Paris Metro club.
Canterbury have made two other changes to the side that saw off Otago 44-6 in last Saturday's quarterfinal.
Lock Kevin O'Neill returns in the place of Isaac Ross after having his workload lightened last week in his first start from the bench this season.
Midfield back Tim Bateman takes over second five-eighths duties from Hamish Gard after successfully returning from injury in the second half of the Otago match.
Bateman marked his return with a try after not playing since Canterbury's successful Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato on September 1.
Both Gard and Ross have been retained in the playing squad and will start from the bench.
Hardman No.8 Mose Tuiali'i remains on the injury list after failing to recover from a long-standing back injury that flared on the eve of the quarterfinal.
Tuiali'i's replacement last Saturday, 19-year-old Nasi Manu, impressed enough to win the team's internal player of the day award and earn himself another start against Wellington this Friday.
Canterbury
Scott Hamilton, Rico Gear, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Paul Williams, Stephen Brett, Kevin Senio, Nasi Manu, Johnny Leo'o, Kieran Read, Kevin O'Neill, Michael Paterson, Campbell Johnstone, Corey Flynn (captain), Ben Franks.
Reserves: Mikaele Tuu'u, Mike Smith, Isaac Ross, Hayden Hopgood, Tyson Keats, Hamish Gard, Steven Yates.
- NZPA
