METRONEWS
© New Zealand Broadcasting School 2024

Three new players named to face North Harbour

Lucinda Henry
Jack Ward
Canterbury Rugby
Canterbury players at their Captain's run ahead of tomorrow's game against North Harbour  Lucinda Henry

The Canterbury rugby team to play North Harbour tomorrow has been named.

Brodie McAlister, Ben Morris and Hugh Renton will make their debut for the team.

Unfortunately, Luke Romano and Greg Pleasants-Tate sustained injuries in last week's against Manawatu and were not put up for selection.

The team will be losing valuable experience without those key players not being on the field, however it does pave the way for the trio to make their Canterbury debuts.

"It's a pretty exciting and fantastic opportunity for those younger players" said assistant coach Nathan Mauger 

North Harbour will present a challenge in the already hotly contested premiership division with both sides sitting on two wins and a loss apiece.

"They've got a big foward pack, they're abrasive, they'll be looking to get them going forward," said Mauger. 

Mauger added "We're just going to make sure we turn up with the right mind-set and match them physically".

"A little bit of luck doesn't hurt either", he said. 

Cantebury play North Habour and Auckland in the space of four days which will be test the depth in the squad.