Umaga on Wellington bench

Tana Umaga

Former All Black skipper Tana Umaga is back in the Wellington squad after a long lay off with a finger injury.

Umaga has been named on the bench for Sunday afternoon's Air New Zealand Cup match against Tasman in Wellington.

There are five changes to the starting 15.

The inside back combination has been changed from last Saturday's narrow win over Manawatu, with Alby Mathewson (halfback) and Jimmy Gopperth (first five-eighth) replacing Jason Spice and Tamati Ellison.

Shannon Paku returns from injury to fullback, with Cory Jane moving to the wing and Lome Fa'atau is out of the playing squad.

Umaga is on the bench, as is Ellison and Spice.

Serge Lilo will start at openside flanker with Ben Herring also moved to the bench.

Wellington: Shannon Paku, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Jimmy Gopperth, Alby Mathewson, Thomas Waldrom, Serge Lilo, Luke Andrews, Jeremy Thrush, Ross Filipo, John Schwalger, Luke Mahoney, Joe McDonnell (captain).

Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Kuramate Tuirirangi, Victor Vito, Ben Herring, Jason Spice, Tana Umaga, Tamati Ellison.

- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB