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Hamish Gosling celebrates - Source: Photosport -
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Bay of Plenty v Manawatu, 7:35pm in Mt Maunganui
Last clash: Bay of Plenty beat Manawatu 28 - 27 in (Round 12, 2009)
TAB: Bay of Plenty $1.20, Manawatu $4.20
Bay of Plenty will be pleased to be back on level ground after being caught in Christchurch's earthquake last week and will be looking to get their season back on track against Manawatu. Their performance against Canterbury was lacklustre in a match hijacked by the Sonny Bill show.
Manawatu will be riding high this week after finally scoring a win in a dominating performance over Wellington last week. The Turbos forwards looked sharp winning the battle of the breakdown while the backs provided some moments of individual brilliance. Confidence will be higher than it has been all season and they will be looking to continue in a similar fashion.
Despite the season best performance the Turbos have made several changes forced by injury, illness and a short turnaround. The backline remains unchanged but second-five eighth Frank Bryant has taken over the captaincy after last week's captain, prop Grant Polson, was injured by his own player. He is replaced by Shane Kingsland and hooker Rob Foreman is rested to give Sean O'Connor a start. In-form lock Fraser Stone is also moved to the bench after being struck down by flu earlier in the week. Their loose forward trio will be bolstered by the return of Mitchell Crosswell and James Oliver from injury.
The Steamers have also made plenty of changes - both forced and tactical. Centre Brett Mather, lock Luke Andrews and flanker Solomon King are all out injured while open-side flanker Luke Braid has been dropped from the 22 with 18-year old Sam Cane to start at number 7.
This match is make or break for the Steamers who will see this game as a must-win if they're going to secure a top seven spot this season to remain in the top flight next year. However they will come up against a confident Manawatu side who now know they are capable of beating any team on their day.
Key: The loose forward battle. Bay of Plenty captain Colin Bourke has been one of the stand out number eight's this year combined with fringe All Black Tanerau Latimer and young talent Sam Cane make an exciting trio. Meanwhile Manawatu flanker Hamish Gosling has been outstanding and with the return of Mitchell Croswell this promises to be an intriguing battle.
Tip: Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty: Toby Arnold, Lelia Masaga/Ben Smith, Cory Aporo, Grant McQuoid, Jason Hona, Mike Delany, Chad Tuoro; Colin Bourke (captain), Tanerau Latimer, Sam Cane, Culum Retallick, Aiden Kuka, Tristan Moran, Dan Perrin, Joe Savage
Reserves: Simon Chisholm, James McGougan, Luke Katene, Josh Hohneck, Phil Burleigh, Dan Waenga, Ben Smith/Nick McCashin
Manawatu: Craig Clare, Shannon Paku, Hadleigh Parkes, Frank Bryant (captain), Lote Raikabula, Aaron Smith; Mitchell Crosswell, James Oliver, Hamish Gosling, Reece Robinson, Michael Fitzgerald, Karl Haitana, Sean O'Connor, Shane Kingsland
Reserves: Rob Foreman, Donal McNamara, Fraser Stone, Doug Tietjens, Karl Bryson, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Casey Stone
