News

Steelers coaches Darryl Suasua, Grant Henson and Semo Sititi have named a bracketed side to take on Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership semi-final at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Sunday at 2:05pm. 

Due to some niggles within the squad, there are a number of bracketed players and the match day-23 won’t be confirmed until game day. Jonathan Taumateine or Luteru Laulala will step into the first-five role in place of Piers Francis who injured his hand in last week’s win over Canterbury at ECOLight Stadium last weekend.

Augustine Pulu is expected to be back in the mix on Sunday, if he is not required as last-minute cover for the All Blacks. Darryl Suasua said it’s fantastic and well-deserved that Pulu got called into the All Blacks.

“Despite being with the All Blacks during the week, he hasn’t actually missed a training with us which has been good. It’s great that we will hopefully have him for the semi-final on Sunday.

“In terms of our squad, we are at a stage now where the guys coming off the bench are doing a great job. Whichever way we go with our starting line-up we always have a strong bench. “

Steelers team to face Canterbury:

1.     Pauliasi Manu

2.     Gafatasi Su’a

3.     Sean Paranihi

4.     Viliame Rarasea

5.     Matiaha Martin

6.     Jimmy Tupou ©/Matt Vaai

7.     Jordan Taufua

8.     Sootala Fa’aso’o

9.     Richard Judd

10.  Jonathan Taumateine/Luteru Laulala

11.  Sherwin Stowers

12.  Cardiff Vaega

13.  Sam Vaka

14.  Sione Fifita

15.  Luteru Laulala/Toni Pulu

16.  Hika Elliot

17.  Sean Bagshaw

18.  Sione Faletau/Kalolo Tuiloma

19.  Matt Vaai/Viliami Taulani/Cameron Skelton

20.  Onosa’i Auva’a

21.  Jonathan Taumateine/Augustine Pulu

22.  Joe Ikenasio

23.  Toni Pulu/Nathan de Thierry

Photo Credit - Richard Spranger