27 Aug 2009

Carter, McCaw and Thorn in Canterbury team for Shield clash

11:11 am on 27 August 2009

Canterbury's called in its All Black reinforcements for the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Wellington on Saturday night.

Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Brad Thorn will start for Canterbury along with fellow New Zealand reps prop Wyatt Crockett and George Whitelock captaining the side from No.7.

Carter will play at first-five and Thorn at lock, with McCaw at No.8 in his first Ranfurly Shield challenge.

Carter's recovered from the slight calf strain which he picked up in Sydney last Saturday but loose forward Kieran Read hasn't recovered from a knee injury.

In other changes, second five Ryan Crotty replaces Tim Bateman, who moves out one spot to centre, and James Paterson comes onto the left wing for Tu Umaga-Marshall.

And the news doesn't get any better for Wellington on the visitors' bench, where All Black hooker Corey Flynn and halfback Andy Ellis will be waiting for their own shot at the log of wood.

Canterbury:

1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Ti'i Paulo, 3. Peter Borlase, 4. James Broadhurst, 5. Brad Thorn, 6. Michael Paterson, 7. George Whitelock (c), 8. Richie McCaw, 9. Tyson Keats, 10. Dan Carter, 11. James Paterson, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Tim Bateman, 14. Sean Maitland, 15. Colin Slade

Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Andrew Olorenshaw, 18. Sam Whitelock, 19. Matt Todd, 20. Andy Ellis, 21. Stephen Brett, 22. Adam Whitelock