Image via Wikipedia Sonny Bill Williams has paid the price for his defensive deficiencies and drops to the bench for Saturday's 'Earthquake Relief' ITM Cup match against Wellington in Christchurch. Williams, who makes way for a fit-again Ryan Crotty at second five-eighths, is one of five changes to the Canterbury team that was thumped 31-20 by Taranaki last weekend.
The aspiring All Black will get a chance to make an impact off the bench where he will cover the outside backs.
All Blacks Colin Slade (first five) and Corey Flynn (hooker) return to replace Stephen Brett and Steve Fualau respectively, with both no doubt keen to push their claims for a spot on the end-of-year tour.
And two others also return off the injured list, with Nasi Manu (knee) back at No 8 and Tu Umaga-Marshall (shoulder) reclaiming his spot on the wing. Manu repalces Ash Parker who drops to the bench while Umaga-Marshall comes in for Patrick Osborne who isn not required for the 22 this week.
But it's Williams' axing that will no doubt have lips flapping in the earthquake region, even though he is replaced by a quality individual in the form of Crotty who has finally shaken off his foot problems.
Williams has looked a polished performer on attack in his two starts for the Cantabs (against Northland and Taranaki) and his distribution and offloading in particular has been impressive. He also looked to have established a fair combination with blockbusting centre Robbie Fruean.
But the former league star was not the same imposing figure on defence and last week against Taranaki he made two howlers fielding the loose ball on the deck in wet conditions, both of which led to tries for the home side.
Canterbury coach Rob Penney will no doubt play down Williams' demotion, and it could be they are just looking to take a little pressure off the high-profile new signing who remains under massive scrutiny as he looks to play his way on to the All Black tour.
But it's hard to see how Graham Henry will be pleased with Williams' dropping, with the national selectors surely keen to see as much of the newcomer as they can ahead of their tour selection.
Saturday's week-nine match (kickoff 2.35pm) will be played in front of a near capacity crowd at AMI Stadium after the CRFU, along with partners, opted to make it free admission following the recent earthquakes in the region.
Close to 36,000 people are expected at a game with plenty riding on it. Canterbury lie fourth on the standings, just a point ahead of the Lions. Wellington last won in Christchurch in 2007 and would dearly love to repeat that dose on Saturday.
CANTERBURY: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Telusa Veainu, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis; 8 Ash Parker, 7 George Whitelock (capt), 6 Matt Todd, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Peter Borlase, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: 16 Steve Fualau, 17 Andrew Olorenshaw, 18 Rob Verbakel, 19 Ash Parker, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Stephen Brett, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.
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