Rugby: Sonny Bill to start for Canterbury

Sonny Bill Williams will start for Canterbury on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images

Sonny Bill Williams will make his first start for Canterbury after being named in the lineup to face Northland in Whangarei on Saturday.

Williams will start at second-five, replacing Ryan Crotty, as part of six changes to the Canterbury side that beat Bay of Plenty last week.

Hooker Steve Fualau, prop Peter Borlase and Luke Romano replace Corey Flynn, Owen Franks and Sam Whitelock, who are on All Blacks duty.

No8 Ash Parker comes in for Nasi Manu, who injured an ankle in the victory over Bay of Plenty last weekend.

In the backline Williams replaces Crotty, who sprained his left foot again against Bay of Plenty, and Patrick Osborne comes on to the right wing, replacing Tu Umaga-Marshall, who injured a shoulder in the same match.

New Brighton hooker Marcel Cummings-Toon comes on to the bench for Paul Ngauamo, who is unavailable due to a family bereavement.

Halfback Willi Heinz is available after recovering from a broken hand suffered in the match against Hawke's Bay and is on the reserves bench.

Canterbury assistant coach Tabai Matson is wary of the firepower in Northland's backline. He said: "They're playing with a lot of confidence at the moment and we're going to have to be on the ball defensively.

"Northland are always tough to beat at home and Canterbury sides have traditionally struggled in Whangarei."

The Canterbury team have been out in the community visiting refuge centres and helping with the clean-up following Saturday's earthquake in the region.

Matson added that it was important the players were fully focused on the game come kick-off.

"Physically they will be ready but it's imperative that they're mentally ready too."

Canterbury side:

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Steve Fualau
3. Peter Borlase
4. Luke Romano
5. Isaac Ross
6. Matt Todd
7. George Whitelock (c)
8. Ash Parker
9. Andy Ellis
10. Stephen Brett
11. Telusa Veainu
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Patrick Osborne
15. Sean Maitland

Reserves:
16. Marcel Cummings-Toon
17. Andrew Olorenshaw
18. Rob Verbakel
19. Brendon O'Connor
20. Willi Heinz
21. Sam Monaghan
22. Robbie Flynn

- NZHERALD ONLINE