Thames make three changes for Buller

Thames Valley have made three changes to last week's team for their NPC third division rugby match against Buller at Paeroa on Saturday.

Last season's captain and the most experienced player in the side, second five-eighth Steven Hill, returns to the starting line-up after injury ruled him out against Mid Canterbury last Saturday.

He will strengthen the backline defence and provide leadership.

No 8 Heath Lawson is out with a shoulder injury and blindside flanker Ryan Scholes has been moved to No 8. Karl Davis or Hayden Cullen will be blindside flanker.

Tai Davis replaces Danny Morrison as the halfback.

Thames Valley selector-coach Ritchie Taylor said eight players took the field for the first time last Saturday in NPC rugby and another six had only handful of games.

Buller opened their season with an upset win over Wairapapa-Bush last week.

Thames Valley: Rhys Bennett, Danny Watson, Bobby Rollinson, Steven Hill (captain), Blair Rawlins, Scott McKay, Tai Davis, Ryan Scholes, Filo Tuuga, Karl Davis or Hayden Cullen, Gene Waller or Mark Aylor, Kevin Eastwood, Karl Williams, Graham Clark, Carl Tremayne. Reserves: Eddie Coony, Roger Fuaaletoelau, Karl Davis or Peter Buffett, Gene Waller or Mark Aylor, Danny Morrison, David Harrison, Maloni Tuitupou.

Buller: Matt Bonish, Etuale Togia junior, Aaron Owen, Wayne Gurdler, John Noble, Sam Nelson, Nicholas Risdon, Tristan Walter or Greg Strechman, Luke Brownlee, Jared Beyer, Joe Armstrong, Richard Anderson, Clark Nelson (captain), Glen Atkin, Logan Mundy. Reserves: Ryan Hughes, Marius Parkin, Tristan Walters or Andrew Murphy, Craig Russell, Andrew Mumm, Braden Tait, Michael Mumm or Sam Lyon.

- NZPA