16 Sep 2009

Whitelock and Crotty out for Canterbury's Shield defence

12:51 pm on 16 September 2009

There are four changes to the Canterbury rugby team to face Taranaki in Friday night's Ranfurly Shield defence in Christchurch.

Captain and openside flanker George Whitelock and second-five Ryan Crotty are unavailable, Whitelock with a high ankle sprain from the loss to Bay of Plenty two weeks ago while Crotty hasn't recovered from a heavy tackle against Otago last Saturday.

Matt Todd gets his first start for Canterbury at openside flanker, with Tim Bateman, who will captain the side, moving in one spot to second-five from centre.

Casey Laulala starts at centre.

Canterbury: 1. Andrew Olorenshaw, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Peter Borlase, 4. Samuel Whitelock, 5. James Broadhurst, 6. Michael Paterson, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Ash Parker, 9. Andy Ellis, 10. Stephen Brett, 11. James Paterson, 12. Tim Bateman (c), 13. Casey Laulala, 14.Tu Umaga-Marshall, 15. Sean Maitland

Reserves: 16. Ti'i Paulo, 17. Rodney Ah You, 18.Nasi Manu, 19. Aaron McCoy, 20. Tyson Keats, 21. Adam Whitelock, 22. Chris Small