Nine new in the Canterbury NPC squad as Naholo moves from Taranaki

The side will again be captained by High School Old Boys’ Reed Prinsep. “Reed’s a leader,” said Co Coach Mark Brown. “We felt he did a great job for us in the role last year and will continue to lead both on and off the field. He sets a great standard for our guys to follow, and he continues to be the right man for the job.”

Irish prop Conan O’Donnell joins Sam Stewart (hooker) in the front row, both bring previous NPC experience. Canterbury 7’s rep Cameron Bailey has been rewarded with his first full time contract fulfilling a lifelong dream for the St Andrews College old boy.

Former All Black Waisake Naholo swaps the amber and black of Taranaki for the red and black of Canterbury. With the Fijian flyer having returned to New Zealand following a stint at London Irish, having previously spent 8 years with Taranaki in the NPC. 28-year-old Jack Debreczeni will also join Canterbury for the first time, with the former Australian School boy rep having played for Northland in 2018 and 19.

The squad also includes six current All Blacks; George Bridge, Braydon Ennor, Joe Moody, Richie Mo’unga, Codie Taylor, and Sam Whitelock as well as Fijian international Manasa Mataele and Samoan hardman Henry Stowers.

New cap* All Black/International** Injured***