15 Oct 2010

Nonu and Weepu to start for Wellington

6:32 am on 15 October 2010

Wellington's chances of climbing from sixth with two rounds remaining in rugby's provincial championship have been boosted by the return of midfielder Ma'a Nonu for Saturday night's must-win home match against second-placed Taranaki.

Another All Black, Piri Weepu, will start at first-five, after guiding the Lions to a big win over North Harbour at Albany.

And coach Andre Bell's hoping he'll have Hosea Gear on the wing.

Gear arrived back this afternoon with gold medal winning Commonwealth Games Sevens team and Bell says if he's fit to play and wants to he'll be given up till Saturday evening to show he's ready.

Andre Bell says the game's also Gear's last chance to get back into the All Blacks with the end of season touring squad to be named in Auckland on Sunday.