Canterbury v North Harbour
Christchurch, 7.35pm tomorrow
Blues lock Filo Paulo will partner All Black Anthony Boric in a strong North Harbour forward pack to play Canterbury in a national provincial championship rugby match in Christchurch tomorrow night.
Chiefs prop Ben Afeaki has also been named to start after a rib injury prevented him from playing in last weekend's 25-24 win over Northland.
North Harbour head coach Craig Dowd said Paulo's selection was no slight on the promising James King, who will get game time off the reserves bench.
"We are lucky to have three quality locks to choose from and will start with the combination that finished so strongly against Northland," Dowd said.
"James will definitely get game time on Friday and it is a good selection dilemma I have as a coach."
Former Japan international Jack Tarrant will start at centre ahead of Brendon Watt, who is on the bench. Dowd said Tarrant deserved a start after he tightened up North Harbour's defence against Northland.
Halfback Takerei Norton will make his debut for Canterbury.
Norton, 31, has been named to start after recovering from a hamstring strain.
Others returning from injury are loose forward Nasi Manu and Patrick Osborne, who have been included on the reserves bench.
Hooker Corey Flynn and lock Sam Whitelock have been released from All Blacks duties and will start the match, as will Robbie Fruean, who made a big impact at centre when coming on as a replacement in the first half against Manawatu last week.
Midfield back Sonny Bill Williams, who made his New Zealand rugby debut last weekend, is not available for selection because of a tight hamstring.
CANTERBURY v NORTH HARBOUR
Canterbury
Sean Maitland
Telusa Veainu
Robbie Fruean
Stephen Brett
Sam Monaghan
Colin Slade
Takerei Norton
Ash Parker
G Whitelock (c)
Matt Todd
Isaac Ross
Sam Whitelock
Peter Borlase
Corey Flynn
Wyatt Crockett
North Harbour
Jack McPhee
Josh York
Jack Tarrant
Luke McAlister
Alipate Fatafehi
Mike Harris
Chris Smylie
Richard Mayhew
Tom Chamberlain
Matt Luamanu
Anthony Boric
Filo Paulo
Ben Afeaki
James Parsons
Michael Reid (c)
Canterbury reserves: Paul Ngauamo, Andrew Olorenshaw, Luke Romano, Nasi Manu, Andy Ellis, Robbie Flynn, Patrick Osborne.
North Harbour reserves: Mike Mayhew, Taione Vea, James King, Malakai Ravulo, Nalu Tuigamala, Ben Botica, Brendon Watt.
- NZPA
