Sam Cane named on Bay of Plenty bench for Mitre 10 Cup semfinal

Sam Cane (Photosport)
Sam Cane (Photosport)

All Blacks flanker Sam Cane will make his return from injury for Bay of Plenty in their Mitre 10 Cup Championship semifinal match against Otago in Dunedin.

It will be Cane's first match since he tore his hamstring in the All Blacks' 57-22 win over Argentina in Hamilton on September 10.

Cane had hoped to be fit for Saturday's Test against Australia in Auckland, but will instead make a rare provincial appearance in Friday's championship division play-off match against Otago in Dunedin.

The 24-year-old will be hoping for an impressive performance to help him secure a spot on the All Blacks' end-of-year tour next month.

In other changes to the squad, Jesse Parete makes his return to the starting side after being sidelined with concussion and James O'Reilly along with Terrence Hepetema will make their return to the side off the bench.

Otago have made two changes to their team with captain Paul Grant making his return to the side along with Tom Franklin who will play in his 50th match for the Blue and Golds.

Bay of Plenty

1. Aidan Ross, 2. Joseph Royal, 3. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 4. Keepa Mewett , 5. Culum Retallick (C),6. Jesse Parete, 7. Henry Stowers, 8. Joe Tupe, 9. Te Aihe Toma, 10. Dan Hollinshead, 11. Regan Ware, 12. Teddy Stanaway, 13. Lalakai Foketi, 14. Monty Ioane, 15. Isaac Te Aute

Reserves: 16. James O'Reilly, 17. Solomona Sakalia, 18. Pingi Tala'apitaga, 19. Sam Cane ,20. Matty Axtens, 21. Ruki Tipuna, 22. Terrence Hepetema, 23. Chase Tiatia

Otago

1. Craig Miller, 2. Sam Anderson-Heather, 3. Donald Brighouse, 4. Brair Tweed, 5. Tom Franklin, 6. Naulia Dawai, 7. James Lentjes, 8. Paul Grant (C), 9. Jonathan Ruru, 10. Fletcher Smith, 11. Fa'asiu Fuata'i, 12. Teihorangi Walden, 13. Matt Faddes, 14. Mitchell Soctt, 15. Michael Collins

Reserves: 16. Sekonaia Pole, 17. Aki Seiuli, 18. Josh Hohneck, 19. Josh Dickson ,20. Adam Knight, 21. Josh Walden, 22. Scott Eade, 23. Sio Tomkinson

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