Rugby: Slade to start for Canterbury

Daniel Braid. Photo / Getty Images

Colin Slade will play at first-five for Canterbury in their opening ITM Cup match against Auckland at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon.

Slade, called into the All Blacks this week, will join up with the Canterbury squad for tomorrow's captain's run in Christchurch before flying with the team to Auckland on the same day.

Also named in the Canterbury team are three players who played for the Crusaders against the Reds in last weekend's Super 15 final in Brisbane.

Lock Luke Romano and midfielder Ryan Crotty, who came off the bench for the match at Suncorp Stadium, will start for Canterbury. And centre Robbie Fruean, who started for the Crusaders last weekend, has been named on the reserves bench.

Crusaders and Canterbury veteran loose forward Reuben Thorne has been named on the reserves bench along with victorious New Zealand Under-20 captain Luke Whitelock.

Meanwhile three former All Blacks have been named in the Auckland starting XV to face Canterbury on Sunday.

Flanker Daniel Braid will skipper the side with fellow All Blacks Benson Stanley and Alby Mathewson take up spots in the backline. Junior All Blacks first five-eighth Gareth Anscombe will wear the no.10 jersey.

All Black winger Joe Rokocoko has been named on the bench.

Canterbury side:
Johnny McNicholl, Telusa Veainu, Ryan Crotty, Tom Taylor, Patrick Osborne, Colin Slade, Willi Heinz, Nasi Manu, Brendon O'Connor, Ash Parker (c), Luke Romano, Luke Katene, Andrew Olorenshaw, Paul Ngauamo, Joe Moody.

Ben Funnell, Paea Fa'anunu, Reuben Thorne, Luke Whitelock, Mark Swanepoel, Kolio Hifo, Robbie Fruean, Sam Cottam.

Auckland side:

Brent Ward, Francis Saili, Hadleigh Parkes, Benson Stanley, Charles Piutau, Gareth Anscombe, Alby Mathewson, Chris Lowrey, Daniel Braid (captain), Onosa'i Auva'a, Josh Townsend, Steven Luatua, Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney, Pauliasi Manu.

Reserves: Ash Dixon, Angus Ta'avao, Richard Haddon, Sean Polwart, Auvasa Faleali'i, Piers Francis, Joe Rokocoko, Tevita Mailau.

- HERALD ONLINE