New Zealand
Faumuina gets chance to push for World Cup
August 27, 2015

Charlie Faumuina has been handed an 11th-hour chance to prove his fitness for All Blacks World Cup selection. Auckland prop Faumuina is included in the starting team to face Canterbury in their NPC Premiership match at Eden Park on Saturday.

It will be the 28-year-old's first game since May 15, having undergone minor neck surgery near the end of the Blues' Super Rugby campaign. Faumuina was a late omission from Auckland's game against Taranaki last week after suffering concussion at training.

The mobile 27-Test veteran is cleared to start this week and may need to impress to squeeze his way into what will probably be a five-strong propping contingent when the All Blacks World Cup squad is unveiled on Sunday.

Another Aucklander in need of a big performance is fullback Charles Piutau, who will start for a second straight week. He is one of several outside backs in contention, with a number of high-profile candidates set to be contentious omissions.

Veteran pair Cory Jane (Wellington) and Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay) are also in need of strong outings at fullback for their respective teams after both stood out last week. Traditional powerhouses Canterbury and Auckland are both unbeaten heading into the third-round game, sitting second and third respectively behind Tasman.

© AAP

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