Counties Manukau

Steelers and Counties Energy Heat

Draws & Results

News

Counties Manukau Steelers team named to play Canterbury

Thu, 13 Oct 2016

Steelers coaches Darryl Suasua, Grant Henson and Semo Sititi have named their side to take on Canterbury in their final regular-season Mitre 10 Cup fixture of 2016 at ECOLight Stadium in Pukekohe at 2:35pm on Saturday.

There are a number of changes to the side, with Pauliasi Manu, Hika Elliot and Toni Pulu coming into the starting 15 for the first time this season. Toni Pulu comes in for Sherwin Stowers who has a calf niggle. There are also a couple of bracketed players due to injury concerns. Kalolo Tuiloma is bracketed with Sean Paranihi, while Sootala Fa’aso’o and Onosa’i Auva’a are also bracketed at No.8. Augustine Pulu returns to the starting side from his one-week suspension.

Gafatasi Su’a moves to the bench, alongside Sean Bagshaw and Viliami Taulani is also bracketed on the pine alongside Auva’a. Richard Judd slots back to the bench with Joe Ikenasio and Sione Molia.

Head coach Darryl Suasua said it’s great to have Toni, Pauliasi and Hika back in the starting side for what will be a huge occasion.

“These guys have done time off the bench and now they are ready for start. The boys are very much looking forward to Saturday’s match against Canterbury at home. The thing we have to be excited about is that our destiny is in our own hands, we are not relying on other results and we don’t have to because we have put ourselves in a position to be in play-off contention. If we win, we are in the semi. So we aren’t relying on other people to win for us, but we are hungry for the victory.”

Its Kids Eat Free at Saturday's match. Kids 13 & Under will not only get onto the South Auckland Motors Embankment for free, but they will also get a free meal consisting of a Sausage Sizzle, drink and a bag of fruit. Kids will receive a small meal ticket when they come through the gates and they will be able to redeem their ticket at the Kids Eat Free Gazebo near Gate D (at the Northern end of the ground).

Tickets to Saturday’s match are available for purchase at the CMRFU Office at ECOLight Stadium during office hours (Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm) or at www.iticket.co.nz or at the Gate on game day. In the Grandstand, Adults cost $20, Students $15 and Kids $10. Kids 13 & Under are FREE on the South Auckland Motors Embankment thanks to Pak ‘n’ Save Pukekohe. Gate D opens at 9:30am and Gate B opens at 12pm. The curtain raiser is the CMRFU Club of Origin Under 18 tournament and that kicks off at 10:05am.

Steelers team to face Canterbury:

1. Pauliasi Manu

2. Hika Elliot

3. Kalolo Tuiloma/Sean Paranihi

4. Viliame Rarasea

5. Matiaha Martin

6. Jimmy Tupou ©

7. Jordan Taufua

8. Sootala Fa’aso’o/Onosa’i Auva’a

9. Augustine Pulu ©

10. Piers Francis

11. Toni Pulu