Wellington mostly unchanged for final

Prop Neemia Tialata remains under an injury cloud but otherwise Wellington have named an unchanged team to face Waikato in the Air New Zealand Cup rugby final at Hamilton on Saturday.

All Blacks front-rower Tialata has been bracketed with John Schwalger on the tighthead side, with selection dependent on the progress of his calf muscle tear over the next two days.

He worked on a treadmill at training today and carried out some scrummaging.

Anthony Perenise is ready to come onto the reserve bench if Schwalger is promoted to start.

The rest of the starting side and reserves are the same as the team who beat Auckland 30-15 in last weekend's semifinal in Auckland.

Wellington:

Shannon Paku, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga (captain), Cory Jane, Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo, Ben Herring, Jerry Collins, Luke Andrews, Ross Filipo, Neemia Tialata/John Schwalger, Mahonri Schwalger, Joe McDonnell.

Reserves:

Luke Mahoney, John Schwalger/Anthony Perenise, Jeremy Thrush, Chris Masoe, Alby Mathewson, Miah Nikora, Lome Fa'atau.

- NZPA