Counties welcome back big names for semi

JASON OXENHAM/Fairfax NZ

RUNNING THE CUTTER: First-five Baden Kerr is back in the Counties Manukau lineup to host Southland in their NPC Championship semifinal in Pukekohe.

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Baden Kerr is back in the Counties Manukau team for tomorrow's NPC Championship semifinal against Southland.

The first-five, who is heading to the Blues next season, has hardly played for the Steelers in the last few games because of concussion problems, but Counties coach Tana Umaga has been able to recall his star player.

Kerr is not the only key player who is back in the Counties team for this game as New Zealand sevens captain DJ Forbes has returned to the fold, having played in the IRB Sevens tournament in Gold Coast last weekend.

The talented Ronald Raaymakers will partner Kenyan born Daniel Adongo in the second row, with Maama Vaipulu moving to blindside flanker.

Counties played Southland in the first week of the season at ECOLight Stadium, with the home side easily winning 30-9.

The Steelers were clearly the best team in the Championship this year and a bumper crowd is expected in Pukekohe for this semi-final.

Steelers coach Tana Umaga said "This is a big occasion for our Union," said Umaga.

"We haven't had a semi-final in quite a while, so we want to put in a good performance that we can be proud of in front our supporters, families and friends."

COUNTIES MANUKAU: Tim Nanai-Williams, Tony Pulu, Rey Lee-Lo, Bundee Aki, Sherwin Stowers, Baden Kerr, August Pulu, Jimmy Tupou, DJ Forbes (c), Maama Vaipulu, Daniel Adongo, Ronald Raaymakers, Matt Talaese, Simon Lemalu. Reserves: Suliasi Taufalele, Maka Tatafu, Sikelo Nabou, Bruce Kaino, David Bason, Kane Hancy, Tyrone Lefau.

- © Fairfax NZ News