New Zealand sevens gun Andrew Knewstubb has been named in Canterbury’s squad for Friday afternoon’s Ranfurly Shield defence against North Otago in Christchurch.
Knewstubb, who has amassed 137 games for NZ and was the World Series top scorer (309) in the 2018-19 season, can play first five-eighth and fullback.
Canterbury’s 28-man squad for the fixture includes a bunch of new faces who have been given an opportunity with a stack of players unavailable due to North v South commitments.
However, coaches Reuben Thorne and Mark Brown have still named eight Crusaders for their lone pre-season Shield defence, to be played at Rugby Park.
That includes wing Manasa Mataele, who only played two games for the Crusaders the past season and has relocated from Taranaki.
Cullen Grace, Ere Enari, Billy Harmon, Brodie McAlister, Dallas McLeod, Luke Romano and Brett Cameron have also been named for the match.
Blues signing Sam Darry, a promising lock who the Crusaders gave every opportunity to stick around, is also in the 28.
“It is an exciting opportunity for some of our most promising players from our local club teams to get exposure to a higher level of rugby alongside some proven Super Rugby and M10 performers,” Thorne said.
“We are excited to see what this group can bring and get our lead-in to the M10 Cup underway. The Shield is always special to Canterbury rugby and this game against North Otago will be no exception.”
The red and blacks will name their Mitre 10 Cup squad, and 23 to play North Otago, on Wednesday.
Canterbury was originally slated to play Buller in Westport for the Shield in July, but Covid-19 scratched the match.
Canterbury: Alex Harford, Andrew Knewstubb, Bill Fukofuka, Billy Harmon, Brett Cameron, Brodie McAlister, Caleb Aperahama, Cameron Bailey, Chay Fihaki, Cullen Grace, Dallas McLeod, Dan Fransen, Ere Enari, Finlay Brewis, Fletcher Newell, Isaiah Punivai, Liam Allen, Luke Donaldson, Luke Romano, Manasa Mataele, Mitch Gibson, Rameka Poihipi, Sam Darry, Scott Mellow, Shilo Klein, Tamaiti Williams, Troy Hallett, Zac Gallagher.