Finishing strong a priority for Canterbury

Luke Romano returns to Canterbury’s pack for Saturday’s Bunnings NPC Semi Final in Christchurch.

The former All Black will lock in alongside youngster Zach Gallagher in the second row with the remainder of the pack that beat Northland in last week’s Quarter Final all returning as 1 to 8.  “To have someone with Lukes’s passion for the jersey and his experience ready to go for Saturday is a real positive for us, he has shown when he plays he brings a real edge to our group” said Head Coach Marty Bourke.  

HSOB duo Reed Prinsep and Daniel Lienert Brown’s experience will also be there for Bourke to call on from the bench, along with Owen Franks. “Finishing a game like this will be super important. We have to be ready for whatever comes our way as we know Bay of Plenty are a dangerous team. Both Reed and DLB are double blazer guys (played more than 62 games for Canterbury), Owen has played over 100 games for the All Blacks and they love this team, this province and are all enjoying their footy. They’ll do everything in their power to get us firing on Saturday Night.”  

England international Willi Heinz will start at half back with Mitchell Drummond being ruled out following a tackle against Northland. “It’s disappointing not to have Drummy available for Saturday, he has really grown into his role this year and playing some of his best rugby, he has done everything right and through some bad luck he’s missing an important match,” Bourke admitted. “On the flipside, Willi’s hunger for this team to do well as a local Canterbury kid, is second to none, he’s the ultimate competitor and he knows what this team need from him.”  

Orangetheory Stadium gates open at 17:30 on Saturday with kick off at 19:05.  

Tickets are still available here.