Wellington's Ranfurly Shield defence just got a whole lot tougher

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:00a.m.

By Hamish McKay

They held out Auckland, but Wellington’s next defence of the Ranfurly Shield just got a whole lot tougher, with Bledisloe Cup Heroes Richie McCaw and Brad Thorn set to turn out for Canterbury in this weekend’s match.

But the availability of fellow All Blacks Kieran Read and Dan Carter is yet to be decided.

Dan Carter slid straight back into Canterbury today, joining his provincial team-mates for a pool session as they prepare for a Ranfurly Shield challenge.

A decision on whether or not Carter will play has been delayed.

But Brad Thorn and McCaw are both available.

While there is a question mark over Carter’s availability, there is no doubting his desire to be in red and black.

“I feel part of the Canterbury team now,” he says. “The more games I can get the better.”

Wellington could have Sydney try-scorer Ma’a Nonu, as well as Rodney So’Oialo back in their ranks. But there is no guarantee coach Jamie Joseph will do a back flip and pick them in the starting 15 – an unpopular stance that had some Lions test players asking to be loaned to other provinces.

Nonu made a big impact off the bench in Sydney and he may need to do the same if the Lions are on hold to the old log o’ wood.

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