Wellington set to bring back eager Cullen

Wellington may yet pull a surprise and put All Black fullback Christian Cullen on for his comeback game against Taranaki in their second-round NPC match in New Plymouth tomorrow night.

Although he was not named in the side last night, Cullen could apparently be brought in late, and possibly start off the bench, if his knee is judged to have reacted well to last night's training at the Wellington Cake Tin.

Wellington coach Dave Rennie said Cullen, who had knee surgery after the Super 12, was still in the reckoning for what is shaping as a crucial game for two teams who lost their opening-round matches.

"If he is confident he can give us 100 per cent on Friday then we ... might start him off the bench."

In last weekend's first round, Shannon Paku played fullback for Wellington against Bay of Plenty and the NZ Colt was one of the better performers in the dismal 11-14 loss.

But Cullen is a proven match-winner. His 748 first-class points includes 131 tries - four of them in Wellington's championship-winning run last year.

"He wants to play as soon as possible," Rennie said. "He needs an absolute clearance before that.

"He had a good runaround on Monday with the fitness trainer. He trained again [on Tuesday] and it'll be interesting to see how the knee reacts."

Rennie has made two changes to the side that started against BoP, with Kupu Vanisi starting at openside flanker and Tony Coughlan named ahead of Sam Johnstone at loosehead prop.

It will be Vanisi's second game since his knee was injured when it was stomped on by a Queensland Reds player in the first round of the Super 12 on February 24.

Taranaki lost to Northland last week but coach Colin Cooper has also shown faith in his players. In the only change to the team that started against Northland, Chris Woods comes on to the left wing.

Wellington: Shannon Paku, Lome Fa'atau, Jason O'Halloran, Paul Steinmetz, Brad Fleming, David Holwell, Jason Spice, Jerry Collins, Kupu Vanisi, Filo Tiatia, Milton Ngauamo, Inoke Afeaki, Tim Fairbrother, Norm Hewitt (capt), Tony Coughlan. Res: Apoua Stewart, Junior Fatialofa, Riki Flutey, Rodney So'oialo, Andrew Gallagher, Sam Johnstone, Shane Carter.

Taranaki: Daryl Lilley, Dominic Byrne, Fa'apulou So'olefai, Mepi Faoagali, Chris Woods, Mark Urwin, Brendan Haami, Campbell Feather, Brent Thompson, Paul Tito, Keith Robinson, Andy Slater, Gordon Slater, Andrew Hore, Tony Penn. Res: Shayne Austin, Bryce Robins, Denning Tyrell, Chris Masoe, Scott Breman, Jason Hooper, Daniel Smith.

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Preparations for their match against Ranfurly Shield holders Canterbury in Whangarei on Saturday have got off to a less than perfect start for the Northland team.

A long list of injuries forced several leading players out at training, among them captain Glenn Taylor and his locking partner Vula Maimuri, who have an infected cut and an ankle strain respectively.

A further four players were also on the invalids list, with Northland coach Bryce Woodward hoping all six will be cleared to play before tonight's final training session.

The injuries prevented Woodward from naming his lineup, which will now be finalised tonight.

"You don't worry about it. If they [players] are down, put someone else in there and get on with it," Woodward said.

"But with our lack of depth you obviously just can't ignore these injuries; it is a matter of putting other guys in there to do the work. It is what happens; people learn by experience."

The injury toll, though, may rob Northland not only of their captain and lineout kingpin but also of try-scoring wizard Rupeni Caucaunibuca, who is battling an ankle strain.

Others on the doubtful list are centre Brad Miller (infection), utility Jason Hita (strained abductor) and first five-eighths Aiden Vince (suspected concussion).

- NZPA