Tom Christie and Folau Fakatava. Graphic: Liam K. Swiggs Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Canterbury v Hawke's Bay
Kick-off: 7:15pm Saturday 17 October
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Live updates on RNZ
Table-topping Canterbury had a scare last weekend against a brave Counties-Manukau side in their quarter-final, with the game going all the way through extra-time. The red and blacks finally emerged victorious after a late Chay Fihaki try, they'll be hoping things aren't as dramatic this time around.
They face a Hawke's Bay outfit that was very impressive in their win over Taranaki last weekend, and with several players with points to prove in regard to rep selection.
Team lists
Canterbury: 1. Finlay Brewis, 2. George Bell, 3. Seb Calder, 4. Sam Darry, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Zach Gallagher, 7. Tom Christie (c), 8. Dominic Gardiner, 9. Louie Chapman, 10. Andrew Knewstubb, 11. Ngatungane Punivai, 12. Dallas McLeod, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Manasa Mataele, 15. Chay Fihaki
Bench: 16. Nick Hyde, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Darcy Breen, 19. Liam Jack, 20. Torian Barnes, 21. Tyson Belworthly, 22. Shun Miyake, 23. Jone Rova
Hawke's Bay: 1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Jacob Devery (cc), 3. Joe Apikotoa, 4. Geoff Cridge, 5. Tom Parsons (cc), 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Sam Smith, 8. Devan Flanders, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Lincoln McClutchie, 11. Neria Fomai, 12. Anaru Paenga-Morgan, 13. Nick Grigg, 14. Jonah Lowe, 15. Zarn Sullivan
Bench: 16. Kianu Kereru-Symes, 17. Hadlee Hay-Horton, 18. Manahi Goulton, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Frank Lochore, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Lukas Ripley, 23. Andrew Tauatevalu
Canterbury selections
Canterbury Sam Darry. Hawkes Bay Magpies v Canterbury Steelers, Mitre10 Cup, McLean Park, New Zealand, Saturday 26th September 2020. Photo: photosport
Sam Darry comes back in to start at lock for Canterbury, replacing Liam Jack. The only other change is Nick Hyde coming onto the bench for Brodie McAlister, meanwhile Andrew Knewstubb continues at first five with Louie Chapman at halfback. There are a lot of players involved in the All Blacks XV in this side, with Darry, Dallas McLeod and Brayden Ennor set to head away and be on call for a call up to the All Blacks if injuries strike.
Hawke's Bay selections
Folau Fakatava. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Hurricanes prop Pouri Rakete-Stones comes back in to start, moving Hadlee Hay-Horton to the bench. Anaru Paenga-Morgan replaces an injured Le Roux Malan at second five, otherwise it's the same side that beat Taranaki last weekend. Folau Fakatava suddenly finds himself back in a black jersey in a few weeks, having been picked for the All Blacks XV too.
Key stats
Devan Flanders. Photo: Paul Taylor / action press
Canterbury have won the NPC first division 14 times, second only to Auckland, but have not tasted glory since 2017. That was their ninth title in 10 seasons.
Meanwhile, Hawke's Bay have never won the first division, with the closest they've come being a loss to Taranaki in the final two years ago.
Hawke's Bay flanker Devan Flanders has been one of the hardest workers in the NPC so far this year, carrying the ball 126 times and making 144 tackles.
What they're saying
"Everyone loves to hate us. There's a real feeling that the rest of the country wants Canterbury to lose. We know we're not the fan favourite outside of our region but that only makes us hungrier to earn our spot in the final." - Canterbury coach Marty Bourke.
The last time they met
Canterbury 26 - 7 Hawke's Bay
A comprehensive win by Canterbury brought Hawke's Bay's good start to the season to a shuddering halt in round four. It wasn't a great game by any stretch of the imagination, with Canterbury ultimately making less mistakes and scoring at the back end to secure victory.
What's going to happen
Hawke's Bay probably has to play all the rugby here, as Canterbury will be more than happy to shut everything down as soon as they establish a defendable lead. There is plenty of firepower in both backlines so the parts are there for an exciting game, but once again it will depend on the conditions. The stiff breeze massively affected the game last weekend, so if that picks up again, whoever can use it to their advantage will come out on top.
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