Savea to lead Lions against Canterbury

Julian Savea will lead the Wellington Lions for the first time after being named captain of the team to play Canterbury at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.

In his 27th match for Wellington Savea will captain the Lions from the right wing in a match that pits the Mitre 10 Cup Championship leaders against the unbeaten Premiership pace setters.

The 27-year-old said it was an honour to lead his province.

"I didn't hesitate when Chris asked me to lead the team and I consider it a real privilege to captain the team. Some great players have gone before me and hopefully I can do the role justice against Canterbury."

Wellington head coach Chris Gibbes said his All Black wing was the obvious choice to take over the captaincy from injured loose forward Brad Shields.

"Julian has stepped up to the mark over the opening five matches on and off the field. He has led by example with his effort on the field and his contribution in the team environment has been a big factor in the results of our young team."

Gibbes has made seven changes to the team that started against Tasman in Blenheim where the Lions lost narrowly 37-35 to their Premiership rivals.

There are five changes in the pack where All Black prop Jeffery To'omaga-Allen has been released from national duties and will start at tight head prop, with his return pushing Alex Fidow into an impact role off the bench.

Likewise, Asafo Aumua reclaims the hooking berth, switching places with Leni Apisai, while Isaia Walker-Leawere has been promoted to start in the second row alongside Sam Lousi.

James Blackwell moves from lock to blindside in a reshuffled loose trio that includes openside Mateaki Kafatolu and Teariki Ben-Nicholas, who takes over at No.8 for the injured Brad Shields.

In the backline Thomas Umaga-Jensen takes over at centre for Wes Goosen, who will miss the match due to a rib injury, while Malo Tuitama comes onto the left wing for Losi Filipo.

Canterbury is unbeaten after five matches in the Premiership and off the back of putting 78 points on Southland and Counties-Manukau to assert their dominance on the competition.

"We're under no illusion about the challenge ahead, but we're also excited by it," Gibbes said. "This match will give us a good gauge of where we sit halfway through the season."

Wellington lost narrowly to Tasman to end a four-game winning streak to start their Championship campaign.

Wellington and Canterbury have not played since their round-robin match in 2014 when the red and blacks won 46-12 at Westpac Stadium.

The Wellington Lions team to play Canterbury at Westpac Stadium on Sunday, September 17 is:

15 Ben Lam (Tawa)

14 Julian Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) (c)

13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata)

12 Regan Verney (Old Boys University)

11 Malo Tuitama (Oriental-Rongotai)

10 Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United)

9 Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Tawa)

8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas (Old Boys University)

7 Mateaki Kafatolu (Petone)

6  James Blackwell (Petone)

5 Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke)

4 Sam Lousi (Marist St Pats)

3 Jeffery To'omaga-Allen (Marist St Pats)

2 Asafo Aumua (Avalon)

1 Tolu Fahamokioa (Tawa)

Reserves: Leni Apisai (Northern United), Sitiveni Paongo (Tawa), Alex Fidow (Oriental Rongotai), Will Mangos (Old Boys University), Du'Plessis Kirifi (Loan Player), Sheridan Rangihuna (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Dan Kirkpatrick (Petone), Levi Harmon (Poneke).