Canterbury are preparing to play their next two Mitre 10 Cup games within five days, starting with North Harbour tomorrow night in Albany. 

A new front row will take the field against North Harbour, with Alex Hodgman, Nathan Vella and Sef Fa'agase all named to start. Daniel Lienert-Brown and Chris King will provide prop cover on the bench, and debutant Brodie McAlister will wear the No. 16 jersey for this game, in place of injured hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate. 

The only change in the loose forwards sees Tom Christie start in the No. 7 jersey in place of the injured Tom Sanders. 

At halfback, Co-Captain Mitchell Drummond returns to wear the No. 9 jersey against North Harbour, and Connor Collins shifts to the reserves bench. Sam Beard and Phil Burleigh also swap this week, so that Beard takes the starting spot at second five-eighth and Burleigh moves to the bench. 

In the reserves, Ben Morris and Hugh Renton join the match day side in place of Luke Romano and Tom Sanders respectively, and could earn their first Mitre 10 caps for Canterbury if they take the field in Albany. Ben Morris does have one Canterbury appearance to his name; he was part of the side that defended the Ranfurly Shield against Mid Canterbury last season.

Kick off in Canterbury's match versus North Harbour is 7:35pm, Wednesday 12 September at QBE Stadium, Albany. 

Canterbury team to play North Harbour: 

1.   Alex Hodgman                                       RESERVES

2.   Nathan Vella                                          16.   Brodie McAlister*

3.   Sef Fa’agase                                          17.   Daniel Lienert-Brown

4.   Hamish Dalzell                                      18.   Chris King

5.   Mitchell Dunshea                                  19.   Ben Morris*

6.   Reed Prinsep                                          20.   Hugh Renton*

7.   Tom Christie                                          21.   Connor Collins 

8.   Whetukamokamo Douglas (CC)           22.   Phil Burleigh

9.   Mitchell Drummond (CC)                     23.   Filimoni Waqainabete

10. Brett Cameron

11. Caleb Makene 

12. Sam Beard

13. Ngane Punivai

14. Josh McKay

15. George Bridge

*denotes Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup debut

Article added: Tuesday 11 September 2018