Marlborough team named for Cecil Shield challenge
The Marlborough side named after training on Wednesday, and subject to change depending on how players come through Saturday's club matches, bears little resemblance to the team which lost the shield to Nelson last year at Trafalgar Park. Several newcomers to the province this year have been rewarded for good club form with selection.
Central lock Brian Utumapu, Harlequins blindside flanker Stu Dalzell, openside flanker Nathan Oakley from Moutere and Central No8 Kaleni Taetuli are all new to the team this year.
In the backs, Moutere first-five Tom Halse gets a start in midfield and outside him is another debutant, former Marlborough Boys' College centre Jake Cresswell. Harlequins fullback George Millar captains the team.
Another Quins player, and last year's incumbent, Daniel MacDonald gets the halfback starting spot on the back of top club form. Central's Willie Alaiasa is on the bench alongside Harlequins' former Wellington midfielder Mike Schmidt-Lealava'a who has missed the last few rounds with a broken arm.
Prop Tim Perry, Taetuli, Dalzell, Halse, first-five Daniel Hawkins, Harlequins prop Fetu Ieremia and Dalzell must all be in Tasman Makos contention and Monday's game could make or break those aspirations or propel someone else up in the rankings. Crockett has one spot to fill on the bench and it's likely to be a hooker with Quins' rake Simon Muir out injured. Waitohi lock Daniel Karena and Renwick utility back Kyle Marfell were also ruled out due to injury, while Renwick No8 Dale Russ and Waitohi halfback James Giles are unavailable for the match.
While the choice of match venues was a controversial one, Red Devils coach Steve Crockett said they weren't bothered by that issue and are only focused on playing well and winning the Cecil Shield.
Kickoff at Jubilee Park in Richmond is 1.30pm on Monday.
