Vince Aso returns to Lions line-up to face Otago
Wellignton Lions centre Vince Aso will return to the starting line-up to face Otago in Sunday's Mitre 10 Cup match at Westpac Stadium.
Aso was ruled out late from last week's win over the Bay of Plenty Steamers because of a virus but he has recovered fully as he prepares to partner Peter Umaga-Jensen in the midfield.
His return sees Billy Proctor return to fullback where he has featued in the earlier rounds of the Mitre Cup this season.
Wellington Lions head coach Chris Gibbes has made two other changes to the starting XV with a new inside back combination of Kemara Hauiti-Parapara and Trent Renata taking over from Connor Collins and Jackson Garden-Bachop who move to the bench.
"We think it's a good time to look at another combination in case we have to use one later in the season," Gibbes said.
"It is also a good opportunity for Trent, who has been working really hard, to show us what he can do. He's obviously a very experienced player and we expect him to show that on Sunday."
Sunday's match will be played for the Mike Gibson Memorial Trophy which is currently held by Wellington.
Gibson was a popular centre and wing who played for Wellington and Otago in the 1980s before he sadly passed away from Leukemia, aged just 27. He played three seasons for Otago, and one full season in Wellington and for the Lions.
"It's a special trophy for both sides and we are delighted that members of Mike's family will be in attendance on Sunday," Gibbes added.
"We are expecting another massive challenge from Otago who have already showed they possess a lot of attacking threats, especially out wide."
Sunday will also see the first double header involving the Lions and Wellington Pride who will meet Counties Manukau in the Farah Palmer Cup at 11.35am.
It will also be a special occasion for Jackie Patea-Fereti who will beomce the most capped Pride player.
The Black Fern will pass Rebecca Liua'ana when she makes her 59th appearance.
Kick-off is 2.05pm.
The Wellington Lions squad to meet Otago is:
15 Billy Proctor (Marist St Pats)
14 Wes Goosen (Old Boys University)
13 Vince Aso (Paremata-Plimmerton)
12 Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata)
11 Ben Lam (Tawa)
10 Trent Renata (Oriental-Rongotai)
9 Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Tawa)
8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas (Old Boys University)
7 Du'Plessis Kirifi (Northern United) (c)
6 Mateaki Kafatolu (Petone)
5 James Blackwell (Petone)
4 Josh Furno (Western Suburbs)
3 Alex Fidow (Oriental-Rongotai)
2 Asafo Aumua (Avalon)
1 Xavier Numia (Oriental-Rongotai)
Reserves
16 James O'Reilly (Hutt Old Boys Marist)
17 Sitiveni Paongo (Tawa)
18 Kaliopasi Uluilakepa (Petone)
19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Marist St Pats)
20 Galu Taufale (Poneke)
21 Connor Collins (Hutt Old Boys Marist)
22 Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United)
23 Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata)