Tietjens makes an early team call

Bay of Plenty coach Gordon Tietjens has broken with tradition and selected his side a day earlier than usual.

They play their NPC first division/Ranfurly Shield match against Canterbury on Friday.

Tietjens usually confirms his line-up after the squad's final run of the week, sometimes later, but said yesterday that several factors had forced an early decision.

"We're coming off a week's break and don't have lots of time together," he said. "I just felt we needed more time together as a team this week, rather than playing around with different combinations."

Former All Black flanker Dallas Seymour, on loan to Bay of Plenty, is out of the match with his home province. Seymour strained his medial ligament in his left knee in the 6-10 loss to Auckland in the Air New Zealand-sponsored competition on August 18 and the injury is still troubling him.

"Dallas could have played, but he's not 100 per cent and the bigger picture is more important for us this season," Tietjens said.

Dave Dillon will take Seymour's place, with Todd Blythe elevated from the reserves in place of Australian sevens speedster Scott Barton on the right wing.

Hooker Thompson Tapsell has recovered from rib cartilage damage suffered in the side's opening match against Wellington on August 11 and loosehead prop Steve Simpkins is back from suspension.

Tietjens said there was little talk about the shield - which Bay of Plenty have never won - at training in Rotorua.

"They're all very enthusiastic about Friday, but our big goal is four points - first division survival is crucial for Bay of Plenty this season.

"The opportunity to challenge for the Ranfurly Shield is a bonus."

Canterbury have injury worries ahead of their defence. Former All Black and co-captain Daryl Gibson was taken from the field on a stretcher with a torn groin in last Saturday's 37-12 win over Southland and faces a month on the sideline.

Bay of Plenty: Damian Karauna, Todd Blythe, Alan Bunting, Dale Rasmussen, Sam Hala, Glen Jackson, Chris Le Lievre, Clayton McMillan, Dave Dillon, Wayne Ormond, Jason Chandler, Mark Weedon (capt), Aleki Lutui, Thompson Tapsell, Steve Simpkins. Reserves: Rameka Poihipi, Nick Collins, Scott Barton, Daniel Godbold, Taufa'ao Filise, David Duley, Paul Tupai.

- NZPA