Canterbury welcomes back experienced loosehead prop Daniel Lienert-Brown to the starting line-up for Sunday's Mitre 10 Cup clash against Waikato in Christchurch, while Sydenham lock Caleb Aprehama is set to become the 16th player to make their Canterbury debut in 2020.

Lienert-Brown is back fighting fit after shrugging off a hamstring complaint that’s kept him side-lined for the past three weeks, while Aprehama comes onto the bench with Cullen Grace away with the All Blacks.Tom Christie gets a start at openside, so too Shilo Klein at hooker, with Billy Harmon and Scott Mellow named on the bench.

"While we’ve been really pleased with some of the younger guys over the past few weeks who have really stepped up, having the knowledge and experience of Daniel out on the park will be a really valuable asset for us this week, especially against a side like Waikato," said coach Mark Brown.

As combinations begin to click there is only one adjustment to the backline, with Josh McKay swapping with Isaiah Punivai on the left wing, with Punivai set to wear jumper number 23.

Vice-captain Mitchell Drummond and Fergus Burke continue to steer the side at nine and ten. Rameka Poihipi has been measured up for his blazer ahead of his 12th match in red and black and will continue to partner Ngatungnae Punivai in the centres with speedsters Chay Fihaki on the right wing and Andrew Knewstubb at the back.

"The more Rameka and Ngane play together the better their combination gets, both on defence and attack. They’ve had some tough assignments over the past couple of weeks and have done a great job," said Brown.

"Chay is a joy to watch when he’s got some space and Ferg’s done a great job over the past few weeks, so he deserves to start again this week too."

Unfortunately, Manasa Matele will miss the remainder of the Mitre 10 Cup after suffering a pectoral tear against Wellington two weeks ago. The electric winger underwent surgery yesterday to repair the damage and is expected to begin training again in the new year.  

"Obviously disappointed to miss the remainder of the Mitre 10 Cup with the boys, I’ll have to support them from the side-line and then focus on being back on the park in the new year to start playing rugby again," said Mataele. 

1                  DANIEL LIENERT BROWN 

2                  SHILO KLEIN    

3                  TAMAITI WILLIAMS 

4                  LUKE ROMANO 

5                  SAM DARRY     

6                  REED PRINSEP (Cpt) 

7                  TOM CHRISTIE 

8                  WHETUKAMOKAMO DOUGLAS 

9                  MITCHELL DRUMMOND (V Cpt)         

10               FERGUS BURKE         

11               JOSH MCKAY     

12               RAMEKA POIHIPI (blazer game)         

13               NGATUNGANE PUNIVAI    

14               CHAY FIHAKI    

15               ANDREW KNEWSTUBB                                   

16               SCOTT MELLOW        

17               LEWIS PONINI  

18               FLETCHER NEWELL 

19               CALEB APERAHAMA (Debut)    

20               BILLY HARMON         

21               EREATARA ENARI     

22               BRETT CAMERON     

23               ISAIAH PUNIVAI             

Article added: Sunday 18 October 2020