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Mean Tat: Sonny Bill Williams playing for Canterbury Metro - Source: Photosport
Sonny Bill Williams will finally make an appearance in the ITM Cup after being named on the bench for Canterbury's clash with Bay of Plenty in Christchurch on Friday.
Williams has suffered from knee and hamstring complaints since leaving Toulon to chase his All Blacks world cup dream three months ago. He has come thorough unscathed after playing 40 minutes for Canterbury Metro in last week's curtain-raiser at second-five eighth.
Canterbury backs coach Tabai Matson said Williams is likely to get some time off the bench in a backline which fired in last week's impressive 35-16 win over Auckland - although it is not clear how much with Crusaders duo Ryan Crotty and Robbie Fruean on good form in the mid-field.
The other key change sees Stephen Brett get his first start at first-five eighth for the season with Colin Slade called up for All Blacks duty.
All Blacks Owen Franks and Sam Whitelock have also been included, Franks replacing Peter Borlase at tighthead prop and Whitelock coming in for lock Luke Romano.
Canterbury: Wyatt Crockett, Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Isaac Ross, Matt Todd, George Whitelock (c), Nasi Manu, Andy Ellis, Stephen Brett, Telusa Veainu, Ryan Crotty, Robbie Fruean, Tu Umaga-Marshall, Sean Maitland
Reserves: Steve Fualau, Peter Borlase, Luke Romano, Ash Parker, Takerei Norton, Sam Monaghanm, Sonny Bill Williams
