KEY POINTS:
Former All Blacks loose forward Craig Newby makes his return to the Otago rugby team for the national provincial game against Bay of Plenty in Mt Maunganui tomorrow.
The three-test international missed the first four rounds of the competition after injuring a shoulder in a game against Southland during the pre-season, but was swiftly installed after passing a fitness test.
Newby, who regains the captaincy from Tom Donnelly, has been named at No 8 in a rejigged loose forwards trio that sees Alando Soakai spelled after a heavy workload.
George Whitelock reverts to the openside flank from No 8 while New Zealand Sevens representative Adam Thomson remains on the blindside.
Coach Steve Martin continues his rotation at halfback where Chris Smylie starts in place of Toby Morland, who ran on during the 18-15 win over Taranaki last weekend.
Centre Brett Mather returns from a one-match suspension imposed for a dangerous tackle on Canterbury and All Blacks halfback Andrew Ellis.
Meanwhile, Karne Hesketh's form on the wing sees him retained ahead of Greg Zampach.
Otago are ninth on the table with a two-win two-loss record while Bay of Plenty are hoping to end a four-match losing streak.
- NZPA
