Big guns back for crucial clash

The Manawatū Cyclones are back at almost full strength for what could be a season-defining clash.

Manawatū play Wellington today at the Arena, where they need a win to maintain any hopes of staying in the Farah Palmer Cup premiership.

The Cyclones are bottom of the premiership and if they are still there at the end of the season they will be relegated to the championship.

So today’s game against Wellington is must win. Wellington are four points ahead of the Cyclones, so a Manawatū win could put them ahead.

Cyclones coach Fusi Feaunati said the team was essentially at full strength for the first time this year. ‘‘It is a key game for us,’’ he said.

‘‘It gives us an indication of where we’re at heading into the last round ... We’ve been really close to winning games – we just haven’t nailed it. There’s a good feeling among the camp.’’

Manawatū play Canterbury away next weekend then have the bye in the final round.

Feaunati said the team had owned the things that needed to improve. In the preseason, Manawatū had beaten Wellington, who are coached by Feaunati’s cousin Zak, but the Cyclones were expecting this weekend to be a different encounter.

Black Ferns No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker starts her first game after recovering from a knee injury and isn’t under any restrictions on minutes.

Influential first five-eighth Carys Dallinger returns from illness and should make a difference as one of their playmakers.

Lock Kahurangi Sturmey was on limited minutes last week, having also recovered from a knee injury, but she is able to play a full game this weekend.

With Olsen-Baker starting, Rhiarna Ferris moves to openside flanker and Elinor-Plum King shifts to the bench.

Second-five Vaine Greig is out with illness, so Corrineke Windle, who played first-five last week in Dallinger’s absence, moves out one.

Props Willow Rowland and Ngano Tavake swap places this week, with Tavake at loosehead.

Front-rower Annemieke van Vliet comes onto the bench for her second game this season.

Leiana Marshall-Barton takes Mia Maraku’s spot on the bench.

It will be the 50th Farah Palmer Cup game for former Black Ferns front-rower Sosoli Talawadua, who has played 33 games for Waikato and 16 for Manawatū.