Waikato's Hill returns against strong Canterbury side

Experienced back David Hill returns to the Waikato side for their Air New Zealand Cup rugby match against Canterbury in Hamilton on Friday night.

Hill, who missed Waikato's opening match last weekend due to an abdominal strain, was today named to start at second five-eighth in place of Dwayne Sweeney.

Set to play his 53rd match for Waikato, Hill will line up alongside Stephen Donald at first five-eighth and Richard Kahui at centre.

Injury and sickness forced coach Warren Gatland to make changes to his front row.

Craig West, who came on as a replacement during Waikato's win against Southland last Saturday, will start at loosehead prop, replacing Sam Biddles, who is being rested after being troubled with flu-like symptoms.

Nathan White remains at tighthead prop.

Hooker Scott Linklater will start on Friday, with Aled de Malmanche named on the bench as the replacement hooker after recovering from a broken thumb.

Gatland said Tom Willis was unavailable for selection due to sore ribs.

TEAMS

Waikato

Sosene Anesi, Roy Kinikinilau, Richard Kahui, David Hill, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam, Marty Holah, Steven Bates (captain), Jono Gibbes, Toby Lynn, Nathan White, Scott Linklater, Craig West.

Reserves:

Aled de Malmanche, Andre Ellison, Mark Burman, Steven Setephano, David Bason, Dwayne Sweeney, Roger Randle.

Canterbury

Ben Blair, Scott Hamilton, Casey Laulala, Cameron McIntyre, Caleb Ralph, Stephen Brett, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, Johnny Leo'o, Reuben Thorne, Kevin O'Neill, Craig Clarke, Campbell Johnstone, Corey Flynn (captain), Greg Somerville.

Reserves:

Tone Kopelani, Wyatt Crockett, Isaac Ross, Hayden Hopgood, Kevin Senio, Tim Bateman, Steven Yates.