Rugby: Knight sole change to Otago side to play Tasman

Adam Knight
Adam Knight
Otago has made just the one change to its starting side to take on Tasman at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night.

The change is in the forward pack, where loose forward Adam Knight comes in on the openside flank in place of Theo Commissaris.

Commissaris left Christchurch club rugby in the middle of the season to try to break into the first-class scene, turning out for Kaikorai.

He failed to make the initial Otago squad but when James Lentjes went down with a concussion in the first game against Canterbury, Commissaris was called up into the team.

He had limited impact in his first two games and makes way for Knight for tomorrow night. Knight is more of a blindside flanker and has played limited minutes on the openside flank.

Coach Cory Brown has stuck with the rest of side which won its first points of the season in a last-minute win over Taranaki last Saturday.

It will be the blazer (15th) game for loosehead prop Craig Millar.

Blair Tweed continues in the second row as both Joe Latta and Jackson Hemopo are still bothered by injuries still. Tweed made a reasonable job of his debut last week against Taranaki, although he prefers to play on the blindside flank.

Sio Tomkinson has been included in the reserves and will make his first-class debut if he gets on the field.

Tony Ensor drops out of the reserves.

Otago will look to cut down the errors against a Tasman side which is riding high at the top of the premiership.

It has been a tough opening to the season for Otago, having to play three of the four unbeaten sides in the competition in its first four games.

Tasman coach Kieran Keane has made five changes to the team that took care of Manawatu, 41-21, last week.

Veteran outside back Robbie Malneek takes Trent Renata's spot, with Renata moving to the bench, and centre Trael Joass takes the start at centre in preference to Kieron Fonotia.

Lock Marco Kotze has been cleared of concussion after he was forced from the field against Manawatu and he will partner Joe Wheeler in the engine room.

Ross Geldenhuys swaps places with Suia Halnukonuka at tighthead prop, as do Jesse MacDonald and Quentin MacDonald at hooker.

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