The Wellington Lions will have a new captain for their 2014 provincial rugby campaign with blindside flanker Brad Shields to skipper the injury ravaged side, that includes six new caps.
The Lions' Brad Shields looks on during the 2013 All Blacks pre season training game. All Blacks v Wellington Lions, Hutt Recreational Ground, Lower Hutt, Wellington, Friday 9 August 2013. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Coach Chris Boyd has finalised his squad ahead of the team's first home match against Waikato this weekend after having his fair share of pre-season injury woes to deal with.
Prop Jeffery Toomaga Allen's season is over, as is first-five Riki Flutey's and flanker Ardie Savea's is likely done too as the Lions deal with a pre-season injury crisis.
Hurricanes tighthead Toomaga-Allen has had knee surgery and will not play again this year, while Flutey has a hamstring tendon rupture and could also need surgery, regardless his season is over.
Savea will have surgery in a few days time to repair a rotator cuff injury and, depending on what that uncovers, he could also miss the entire provincial season.
A recent injury to first five-eighth Riki Flutey is another hammer blow, with Samoan international Fa'atonu Fili recalled to the squad, while Samoan Under 20 captain Henry Stowers, and young wing Chase Tiatia, have also been included.
New caps to the side include backs Wes Goosen, Sam McNicol and Tiatia, along with forwards Leni Apisai, Christian Lloyd, and Stowers.
The Lions will be led by a new captain this season, with Petone loose forward Brad Shields given the reins.
The side's first match is against Waikato at Westpac Stadium on Saturday kicking off at 6.35pm.
Wellington Lions:
Leni Apisai * (Northern United), Dane Coles (Poneke), Ambrose Curtis (Oriental-Rongotai), Afa Fa'atau (Oriental-Rongotai), Tolu Fahamokioa (Tawa), Vaea Fifita (Wellington), Fa'atonu Fili (Oriental-Rongotai), Ross Filipo (Petone), Riki Flutey (Petone), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United), Kaipati Gaualofa (Tawa), Reggie Goodes (Poneke), Wes Goosen *(Old Boys' University), Cory Jane (Upper Hutt Rams), Jared Kahu (Petone), Taniela Koroi (Tawa) Adam Hill (Old Boys' University), Christian Lloyd*(Upper Hutt Rams), Tau Mamea (Wainuiomata), Motu Matu'u (Oriental-Rongotai), Sam McNicol (Petone), Ma'a Nonu (Oriental-Rongotai), James O'Reilly (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Ope Peleseuma (Hutt Old Boys Marist), TJ Perenara (Northern United), Matt Proctor (Oriental-Rongotai), Mark Reddish (Oriental-Rongotai), Ardie Savea (Oriental-Rongotai), Julian Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) John Schwalger (Northern United), Brad Shields (captain) (Petone), Eric Sione (Northern United), Conrad Smith (Old Boys' University), Henry Stowers * (Wainuiomata), Jeremy Thrush (Hutt Old Boys' Marist) ChaseTiatia* (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Marist St Pats), Shaun Treeby (Tawa), Victor Vito (Marist St Pats), Frae Wilson (Wainuiomata), Jason Woodward (Upper Hutt Rams)
