Canterbury team to play Auckland

Canterbury will host traditional rivals Auckland in the first ITM cup match of the season at AMI stadium on Wednesday night (kick off 7:35pm). 

Coach Tabai Matson has made several changes to the team that started against Tasman last week and George Whitelock will take over the captaincy from Willie Heinz. 

In the forwards, Paea Fa'anunu replaces Joe Moody at loosehead prop, Joel Everson comes in for the injured Luke Katene at lock, while George Whitelock replaces brother Luke on the blindside flank. Luke Whitelock moves to number eight in place of Nasi Manu. 

Amongst the backs, Andy Ellis will start at halfback in place of Willie Heinz, Tom Taylor moves from inside centre to fullback replacing Sean Maitland (injured), while Ryan Crotty joins Robbie Fruean in the midfield. 

Tom Taylor, Paea Fa'anunu and Ben Funnell will all up notch personal milestones on Wednesday, earning their blazers for 12 appearances for the province. 

On the bench, Matson has named Codie Taylor, Michael Allardice and Jed Brown, all of whom are in line for their debut if they take the field. Sam Monaghan has been bracketed with Rhys Llewelyn for the final substitutes place and a final decision on that selection will be made after training concludes today. 

Matson will hope to kick off Cantebury's home season with a win and make it four from four over the old enemy since 2009.