Taranaki team named to face Canterbury

Australians James Hilgendorf and Brock James have been named in the Taranaki XV to play Canterbury in Christchurch tomorrow night.

Hilgendorf, a former New South Wales under-19 and under-21 fullback, arrived in New Zealand last week.

The 22-year-old from the Eastwood club has been added to the Taranaki squad for this year's NPC.

James, who has played club rugby for Coastal, will start at first five-eighth in the final shakedown for Taranaki before the NPC opener against North Harbour in New Plymouth on Saturday week.

Adding to the international flavour in the Taranaki backline is Samoan representative Sailosi Tagicakibau. The former Counties Manukau winger gets his chance to cement a starting spot.

Captain Paul Tito returns after a broken finger ruled him out of the Taranaki division one club final and last Saturday's match against Wellington.

Canterbury's line-up include eight former All Blacks -- fullback Ben Blair, winger Caleb Ralph, second five-eighth Aaron Mauger, No 8 Sam Broomhall, flankers Rueben Thorne and Brad Thorn, and props Greg Feek and Dave Hewett.

Taranaki: J. Hilgendorf, S. Tagicakibau, M. Harvey, C. Woods, L. Mafi, B. James, C. Fevre, B. Thompson, C. Masoe, R. Robinson, P. Tito (captn), J. Willis or J. Lawn, G. Slater, P. Mitchell, T. Penn. Res: H. Mitchell, T. Tuirirangi, T. Soqeta, S. Breman, M. Stewart, S. Ireland, B. Haami.