News

Nonu to wing it for Wellington

October 15 2008

All Blacks midfielder Ma'a Nonu will start on the wing for Wellington in Friday's Air New Zealand Cup semi-final against Southland at Westpac Stadium.

Nonu admitted to a "rusty" performance at centre against Taranaki last week and Wellington coach Jamie Joseph has instead opted for a Tane Tu'ipulotu-Tamati Ellison combination in midfield.

Buxton Popoali'i thus makes way for the 104kg Nonu who takes over the number fourteen jersey.

"We've got such quality centres. We've got two All Blacks centres, we've got Tamati and Tane who are Super 14 players and it's like 'where do you start?'," Joseph told Sportal.

"I guess he [Nonu] got the short straw in terms of who we were going to start at centre.

"He's a pretty free-spirited player

"If he turns up to play on the weekend he'll be in good nick and he'll put the opposition under pressure."

All Blacks centre Conrad Smith has been named on the bench and captain Piri Weepu is retained at fly-half, keeping the talanted Daniel Kirkpatrick on the bench.

Rodney So'oialo and Neemia Tialata have been confirmed at openside flanker and prop respectively.

Tialata will bolster the front row after missing the quarter-final because of sore knees with John Schwalger switching to the tighthead.

Interestingly Joseph has opted for two props on the bench - Tim Fairbrother and Jacob Ellison - an indication of the strength of Southland's set-piece and the fact the Stags are not afraid to play an expansive game either.

"I guess what we're preparing for is a very physical and mobile game and if that's the case props tend to get tired," said Joseph.

"When you're fortunate to have four props available to you it seems sensible to use them all."

Meanwhile, Kendrick Lynn will start at centre in place of Matt Saunders, who swaps to the right wing for Southland. Flanker Tim Boys will start on the openside.

Wellington: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Ma'a Nonu, 13 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 12 Tamati Ellison, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Piri Weepu, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Rodney So'oialo, 6 Chris Masoe, 5 Jeremy Thrush, 4 Ross Filipo, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Dane Coles, 1 John Schwalger.

Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Tim Fairbrother, 19 Api Naikatini, 20 Serge Lilo, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Conrad Smith.

Date: Friday, October 17

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Kick-off: 19:35 (07:35 GMT)

Referee: Steve Walsh

Touch judges: Kelvin Deaker, Vinny Munro

Television match official: Ben Skeen