A training mishap has ruled former All Blacks loose forward Shannon Frizell out of tomorrow’s Tasman Mako opener against North Harbour.
Captain Johnny Lee will now move to the back of the scrum.
It continues Shannon’s unlucky run with injuries in Japan last season.
The 33-year-old missed the season opener with a hamstring issue, and later broke his hand twice, limiting him to just two appearances with Toyota Brave Lupus.
There are three new caps in the Mako starting line up – prop Vea Taumoefolau, who has arrived from Japan, Brumbies loose forward Rory Scott, and former MBC wing Leo Marfell, who impressed as an injury replacement against Canterbury in last Friday’s warm-up match against Canterbury.
Poised for debuts from the bench are Marist hooker Dylan Irvine, back from Scotland, and flanker Matt Lowe, who missed last season with a hamstring injury.
The team is: 1 – Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 2 - Eli Oudenryn, 3 – Vea Taumoefolau, 4 – Lopeti Faifua, 5 – Antonio Shalfoon, 6 – Tayne Hemopo, 7 – Rory Scott, 8 – Johnny Lee(c); 9 – Noah Hotham, 10 – William Havili, 11 – Kyren Taumoefolau, 12 – David Havili, 13 – Cooper Roberts, 14 – Leo Marfell, 15 – Taine Robinson. Reserves: 16 – Dylan Irvine, 17 – Tom Heywood, 18 – Sione Mafi, 19 – Hunter Leppien, 20 – Matt Lowe, 21 – Mason Lund, 22 – Cooper Grant, 23 – Nic Sauira.
The match begins at 7.10pm at Trafalgar Park.
