Rugby: Teams named for ITM Cup final

Brendon Leonard scores a try against Northland during round 10. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks halfback Brendon Leonard comes onto the reserve bench in the only change to Waikato's team ahead of the national provincial championship rugby final against Canterbury in Christchurch on Friday.

Leonard hasn't played since being knocked out in a sickening head clash during a match against Northland in Whangarei a month ago. He replaces Malcom Barnes on the bench this week, having passed concussion tests.

Coach Chris Gibbes has stayed with the same starting 15 who helped carry Waikato to a last-gasp 38-37 defeat of Auckland in their semifinal last Saturday.

"The boys have worked hard this year and are looking forward to the opportunity that this game presents. It's awesome to be in the final especially against a team such as Canterbury," Gibbes said.

"Canterbury is a formidable opponent at home with threats right throughout their squad. If we gift them our possession or miss tackles they can hurt us anywhere on the field, so our main focus is doing the basics well. We are ready."

Gibbes said the team would be bouyed by Leonard's "exciting" return.

"He brings a great deal of experience and leadership. This was a tough selection at nine as Malcolm Barnes has come in and played well for us in Brendon's absence but we believe this is the right combination to take to Christchurch."

Waikato's confidence will also be boosted by their 26-6 thumping of Canterbury when they met in the final round-robin match in Hamilton on October 22.

Not so comforting is the memory of their last visit to Christchurch, which resulted in a 46-13 humbling last season.

Waikato have won 17 of the 43 first class matches between the teams since 1929, with one drawn.

Meanwhile Canterbury have made one change to their side.

Flanker George Whitelock comes back into the starting line-up for the first time since injuring a knee in the round 10 match against Otago at Carisbrook on September 25.

Whitelock, who takes over the captaincy reins from Wyatt Crockett, replaces Ash Parker, who drops to the reserves bench.

Whitelock will play at blindside flanker, with Matt Todd staying at openside.

Fellow loose forward Brendon O'Connor holds his place on the bench. Lock cover Rob Verbakel is not in the match-day 22.

Canterbury head coach Rob Penney is expecting a step up in intensity for this final showdown. He said: "We will be preparing for a tough battle - we know how good the Waikato forwards are and what they will bring. Having said that, we'll have our home support behind us and all the players are looking forward to it."

Waikato beat Canterbury 26-6 in Hamilton in the final round-robin game of the season.

Centre Robbie Fruean, who shone in Canterbury's 57-41 semi-final victory over Wellington at AMI Stadium last weekend, is joint leading try scorer in the ITM Cup (10 tries) with Bay of Plenty wing Lelia Masaga.

Canterbury's rookie wing Telusa Veainu, who scored a double last weekend against Wellington, has scored eight tries in his debut season.

Waikato team:
Sosene Anesi, Henry Speight, Save Tokula, Jackson Willison, Dwayne Sweeney, Trent Renata, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Alex Bradley, Jack Lam, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Romana Graham, Toby Lynn, Nathan White (captain), Aled de Malmanche, Toby Smith. Reserves: Hikairo Forbes, Ben May, Kent Fife, Zak Hohneck, Brendon Leonard, Christian Lealiifano, Tim Mikkelson

Canterbury team:
Sean Maitland, Tu Umaga-Marshall, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Telusa Veainu, Colin Slade, Willi Heinz, Nasi Manu, Matt Todd, George Whitelock (c), Isaac Ross, Luke Romano, Peter Borlase, Steve Fualau, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Paul Ngauamo, Andrew Olorenshaw, Ash Parker, Brendon O'Connor, Takerei Norton, Stephen Brett, Sam Monaghan.

- NZPA