George Bell starts for Canterbury

Canterbury will head down south again, this time to take on Southland for Round 6 of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC.

A magnificent mix of experienced players alongside the fresh blood of this season’s debutants will go side by side at Rugby Park in Southland, kicking off at 7:05pm Friday 13 September. With an ominous date to play, Canterbury supporters won't be too spooked as 2014 was the last time the Southland Stags managed to put one on the red and blacks.

This week's team list sees exciting returns from injury, with Johnny McNicholl making his first appearance for Canterbury since 2016 as fullback and Manasa Mataele set to make an impact from the bench for his first game this season. Sitting alongside Mataele is Tahlor Cahill also returning from injury.

A dangerous front row has been named with Harry Allan, George Bell and Joe Moody teaming together to lead the scrum. Allan is returning to play his 15^thappearance in the Canterbury jersey and was part of the North Canterbury side who retained the Southbridge Shield two weeks ago, winning 55-13 against Ellesmere.

Chay Fihaki and Ngane Punivai remain working on the wings, with 2024 debutants Nic Shearer and Shun Miyake pairing together for the first time in the starting lineup as half back and first five respectively. 

The game will play live on Sky Sports.

1. HARRY ALLAN
2. GEORGE BELL
3. JOE MOODY
4. LIAM JACK
5. ZACH GALLAGHER
6. COREY KELLOW
7. TOM CHRISTIE
8. BILLY HARMON (CPT)
9. NIC SHEARER
10. SHUN MIYAKE
11. NGATUNGANE PUNIVAI
12. DALLAS MCLEOD
13. BRAYDON ENNOR
14. CHAY FIHAKI
15. JOHNNY MCNICHOLL

16. BRODIE MCALISTER
17. JUNIOR FIFITA
18. GUS BROWN
19. ALEX GROGAN
20. TAHLOR CAHILL
21. JOE LAM
22. RYAN CROTTY
23. MANASA MATAELE