Highlanders lock Tom Franklin will not turn out for the Bay of Plenty side in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship semifinal today.
He is not injured but his sister is getting married so he, naturally enough, is attending the nuptials.
The 27-year-old, who played 51 games for Otago before moving home to Bay of Plenty this year, has been playing on the blindside flank for Bay of Plenty of late.
His extra height gives Bay of Plenty another real lineout option. He also gets round the field well.
Franklin, who has signed for the Highlanders again for next year, will be a big loss for the home team. Bay of Plenty veteran lock Cullum Retallick is out of the game with a rib injury.
Former Otago Boys’ High School lock Troy Callander will lock the scrum with captain Keepa Mewett.
• Wellington will host the Championship final next week after beating Northland 49-21 in last night’s first semifinal in Wellington.