Slade back to defend Ranfurly Shield
Canterbury will put the Ranfurly Shield up for grabs against North Otago on Saturday, the first challenge of 2011.
The match, at Rugby Park in Christchurch, will feature the return from injury of flyhalf Colin Slade. Slade is returning from jaw injuries suffered with the Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition and, more recently, a groin niggle.
Other Canterbury regulars playing in the match include No.8 Nasi Manu, who also returns from the Highlanders, scrumhalf Willi Heinz and right wing Telusa Veainu, who scored nine tries in his 15 matches for the Red and Blacks last year.
Canterbury: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Robbie Flynn, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 6 Ash Parker (captain), 5 Joel Everson, 4 Luke Katene, 3 Paea Fa’anunu, 2 Paul Ngauamo, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Sam Cottam, 18 Mark Abbott, 19 Bernie Hall, 20 Mark Swanepoel, 21 Kolio Hifo, 22 Willie McGoon, 23 Nepo Laulala.
Date: Saturday, July 2
Venue: Rugby Park, Christchurch
Kick-off: 12.30 (00.30 GMT)
Referee: tbc
