Star lock back on the field

Otago v Taranaki

Lock Simon Maling will return to action for Otago against Taranaki at Carisbrook tomorrow after seven weeks on the sideline.

Maling, an All Black last year and in 2001, is one of five changes to the side who beat Wellington last weekend to take the lead with one round left in the round-robin competition.

Tom Willis replaces the injured Anton Oliver at hooker, Sam Harding comes in for the injured Samiu Vahafolau at No 8, and wings Matt Saunders and Glen Horton make way for the fit-again Brad Fleming and Neil Brew.

Maling missed six NPC games after damaging medial knee ligaments and then straining a quadricep muscle.

He comes into the side for Tom Donnelly, who moves to the reserves.

"We've been happy with how Simon's prepared over the last week, and we think it's probably a better option for him to start rather than coming off the bench," Otago assistant coach Wayne Graham said.

"It's good to have him back. He's looking good. We'll just put him out there and see how he goes."

Willis will get his first NPC start of the season in place of Oliver, who is nursing a sore neck.

"Anton's come through all right, but there's still a slight soreness there," Graham said.

"With what's in front of us, we've decided he's probably better to miss this game and get himself right. We're very fortunate we've got Tom to take his place."

Graham acknowledged that Saunders and Horton, two of the most incisive Otago backs this season, were unlucky not to be in the starting XV.

They've been very good, but we've given the opportunity to Brad and Neil to come back from injury and prove they can hold their positions." he said.

Nick Fisher will be the reserve hooker and Grant Webb the reserve loose forward.



Graham said he expected Taranaki to be desperate to finish their season on a high after six consecutive losses.

"They beat us in New Plymouth last year. We know how good they can be and they stand in our way of a home semifinal."

fusixpoint

Otago: Willie Walker, Neil Brew, Seilala Mapusua, Brad Fleming, Ryan Nicholas, Tony Brown, Danny Lee, Sam Harding, Josh Blackie, Simon Maling, Filipo Levi, Kelvin Middleton (capt), Carl Hayman, Tom Willis, Joe McDonnell. Res: Nick Fisher, Ben Nolan, Tom Donnelly, Grant Webb, Cory Brown, Matt Saunders, Glen Horton.

Taranaki: Daryl Lilley, James Kerr, Matthew Harvey, Bryce Robins, Shayne Austin, Mark Urwin, Brendan Haami, John Willis, Brendon McGlashan, Richard Bryant, Paul Tito (capt), Scott Breman, Gordon Slater, Andrew Hore, Tama Tuirirangi. Res: Daniel Smith, Jason Hooper, Brendon Back, Joe Lawn; Craig Fevre, Sam Young, Mark Stewart.

Referee: Bryce Lawrence.

Kick-off: 2.35pm.

- NZPA