Injury rules out Gear, Mailata to start

Wing Hosea Gear's late withdrawal has handed one of the most interesting, but least known, names in the ITM Cup a surprise start against Manawatu.

Former Bay of Plenty and Western Force player Tajhon Mailata will start at centre in Palmerston North tomorrow in a side hit by a string of injuries since the 31-28 win over Northland.

Coach Andre Bell has been forced to make four personnel changes and two more positional shifts to his run-on XV, with a further three new faces in the reserves.

Out this week are hooker Dane Coles (infected knee), prop Neemia Tialata (tight calf muscles), second-five Charlie Ngatai (ankle) and Gear, who strained a hamstring yesterday.

The combined result of the injuries is a completely rejigged front row. Ged Robinson and Jacob Ellison are promoted from the bench to start at hooker and loosehead prop, respectively, and John Schwlager switches to the tighthead.

In the backs, Mailata comes off the bench for his Lions debut, pushing Alapati Leiua from centre to the wing, and Shaun Treeby moves to his preferred position of second-five.

Mailata's promotion will raise a few eyebrows after he struggled to make an impact for Marist St Pat's after shifting from Bay of Plenty this season.

The 24-year-old's last match was in round six of the Jubilee Cup on July 24, but Bell was standing firmly behind his man.

"He's been here for two months and he's trimmed down lot and done a lot of conditioning," Bell said. "He's been in our environment for a while now and I think he's ready to go.

"He's good with his feet, got good hands and strong in contact, very physical. I'm looking forward to him showing his wares."

Oriental-Rongotai hooker Motu Matu'u, Northern United wing Buxton Popoalii and giant Manawatu loan prop David Te Moana all come into the reserves for the first time this season.

- © Fairfax NZ News